A locking system for a continuum arm robot system, the robot system includes: a continuum arm robot having a manipulatable tip, a passive robot section through which controls for the manipulatable tip, and at least one ferromagnetic collar, and at least one external controllable electromagnetic device which can be activated so that the ferromagnetic section on the continuum arm robot is attracted to the electromagnetic device.

Described herein is a multi-axial industrial robot, in particular of a SCARA type, where the base structure designed to enable installation of the robot on an external supporting structure, can be mounted according to two opposite orientations, where one orientation is upside down with respect to the other, while at the same time the operating head of the robot may instead maintain one and the same orientation.

A mobile robotic system for providing on-demand assistance is disclosed. In an example, the robotic system includes a platform, at least two wheels connected to the platform and driven by respective motors, and a housing connected to the platform. The housing includes a display screen and a telescoping section to enable the housing to increase in height. The robotic system additionally includes a first robotic arm connected to a first side of the housing, a first end-effector rotatably connected to the first robotic arm, a second robotic arm connected to an opposite, second side of the housing, a second end-effector rotatably connected to the second robotic arm, and a processor communicatively coupled to motors within the first robotic arm, the first end-effector, the second robotic arm, and the second end-effector. The processor may include an application programming interface to enable third-party applications to expand the capabilities of the robotic system.

The present disclosure envisages a robotic system (200) for carrying out an operation. The robotic system (200) is lightweight. The principle application of the robotic system (200) is in manufacturing industry typically to hold a tool (209) that can perform various operations. The robotic system (200) comprises a first carriage (206), an arm (202), an arm swiveling mechanism (210), a second carriage (208), a first displacement mechanism (203), and a controller. The first carriage (206) is configured to be linearly displaced. The arm (202) is coupled to the first carriage (206). The second carriage (208) is connected to a free end of the arm (202), and is configured to securely hold the tool (209). The first displacement mechanism (203) is configured to displace the second carriage (208).

A transfer tool includes a substantially strip-shaped frame; a wrist-side slider provided on one side of the frame in a thickness direction in a manner capable of moving along a longitudinal direction of the frame; a workpiece-side slider provided on another side of the frame in the thickness direction in a manner capable of moving along the longitudinal direction; and a distal-end swing shaft attached to the workpiece-side slider. The shaft includes a support section supported by the workpiece-side slider in a manner capable of swinging around an axis line extending in a width direction of the frame and supporting a workpiece, and an actuator attached to the workpiece-side slider and causing the support section to swing. The actuator includes a motor, and a pair of gears that transmits driving force of the motor to the support section. At least one of the gears is formed into a fan shape.

A method of maneuvering a robot includes driving the robot across a surface and turning the robot by shifting a center of mass of the robot toward a turn direction, thereby leaning the robot into the turning direction. The robot includes an inverted pendulum body, a counter-balance body disposed on the inverted pendulum body and configured to move relative to the inverted pendulum body, at least one leg prismatically coupled to the inverted pendulum body, and a drive wheel rotatably coupled to the at least one leg. The inverted pendulum body has first and second end portions and defines a forward drive direction. The method also includes turning the robot by at least one of moving the counter-balance body relative to the inverted pendulum body or altering a height of the at least one leg with respect to the surface.

An end-of-arm tool and an associated robotic arm are configured to place items (e.g., soft-sided merchandise) into a case. In an example, an end-of-arm tool is configured to grasp a surface (e.g., the top surface) of an item of merchandise and deposit the item into the case. Accordingly, as an item is deposited, the tool uses contact with that item to move previously placed items back into their preferred locations. After the penultimate item in a row of items is put in place, it may move out of position. As a final item is added to a row, the tool pivots the final item so that a side surface of the final item pushes the penultimate item into its correct position. The tool then pivots the final item to orient the top surface of the item horizontally, and places it in a predetermined position.

A transfer tool includes a substantially strip-shaped frame; a wrist-side slider provided on one side of the frame in a thickness direction in a manner capable of moving along a longitudinal direction of the frame; a workpiece-side slider provided on another side of the frame in the thickness direction in a manner capable of moving along the longitudinal direction; and a distal-end swing shaft attached to the workpiece-side slider. The shaft includes a support section supported by the workpiece-side slider in a manner capable of swinging around an axis line extending in a width direction of the frame and supporting a workpiece, and an actuator attached to the workpiece-side slider and causing the support section to swing. The actuator includes a motor, and a pair of gears that transmits driving force of the motor to the support section. At least one of the gears is formed into a fan shape.

Exemplary embodiments relate to soft robotic gripper systems suited to grasping target objects in cluttered environments. Some embodiments provide extension rods, hinges, and/or rails that allow a soft robotic actuator to be extended towards or away from a robotic base and/or other actuators. Accordingly, a gripper including the actuator may be reconfigured into a size and/or shape that allows for improved access to the cluttered environment. Further embodiments relate to soft robotic gripper systems for supporting grasped objects during high acceleration movements using vacuum, gripper, and/or bellows devices. Still further embodiments relate to specialized grippers for manipulating food items.

A robotic gripper for grasping a target object includes a linear actuator and a gripping assembly. The gripping assembly is coupled to the linear actuator and includes a plurality of fingers that are positioned to selectively grasp and release the target object. The linear actuator includes an air cylinder and a linearly movable rod that reciprocates within the air cylinder between a retracted position and an extended position. The gripping assembly includes a finger holder and a finger closer. The fingers are affixed to the finger holder and extend from the finger holder through openings formed in the finger closer. The finger closer is coupled to the linearly movable rod which reciprocatingly drives the finger closer over the fingers to adjust the fingers between a first position in which the fingers grasp the target object and a second position in which the fingers release the target object.