B25J9/1615

Systems and methods for processing objects, including automated linear processing stations

A method of processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of a plurality of objects and directing the plurality of objects toward an input area from at least one input conveyance system, acquiring an object from the plurality of objects at the input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device, and moving the acquired object toward an identified processing location using the programmable motion device. The identified processing location is associated with the identifying indicia and the identified processing location is provided as one of a plurality of processing locations along a first direction. The step of moving the acquired object includes moving the programmable motion device along a second direction that is substantially parallel with the first direction.

Robotic system

A robotic system includes a robotic arm, a base couple coupled to the robotic arm, and a controller. The robotic supports a work implement and is configured to move the work implement to perform an operation on a workpiece. The base is configured to be removably coupled to a mounting surface. The controller is in communication with the robotic arm, the work implement, and the base. Further, the controller is configured to disable the operation of at least one of the robotic arm and the work implement if a coupling parameter between the base and the mounting surface is below a threshold value.

SOFT ROBOTIC TOOLS WITH SEQUENTIALLY UNDERACTUATED MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUIDIC JOINTS
20210086351 · 2021-03-25 ·

A soft robotic tool may include a plurality of rigid links, a plurality of magnetorheological fluid soft joints, and a plurality of tendons. The rigid links may be disposed in series. Each magnetorheological fluid soft joint may be disposed between a pair of the rigid links. Each magnetorheological fluid soft joint may include a capsule containing a magnetorheological fluid, and an inductive coil disposed around the capsule. The tendons may extend along a length of the soft robotic tool. Each tendon may be attached to each of the rigid links.

Electrolaminate clutches for an exosuit system

A flexible exosuit includes rigid and flexible elements configured to couple forces to a body of a wearer. Further, the flexible exosuit includes flexible linear actuators and clutched compliance elements to apply and/or modulate forces and/or compliances between segments of the body of the wearer. The flexible exosuit further includes electronic controllers, power sources and sensors. The flexible exosuit can be configured to apply forces to the body of the wearer to enable a variety of applications. In some examples, the flexible exosuit can be configured to augment the physical strength or endurance of the wearer. In some examples, the flexible exosuit can be configured to train the wearer to perform certain physical tasks. In some examples, the flexible exosuit can be configured to record physical activities of the wearer.

Port control

A locator of a surgical port of a surgical robot system, the surgical robot system comprising an instrument attached to a robot arm, the instrument having an instrument shaft able to pass through the surgical port to a surgical site, the locator comprising: an interface configured to couple to the surgical port; a mechanism configured to permit relative linear and/or rotational motion of the interface and the instrument shaft; and a controller comprising a processor operable to estimate the position of a part of the robot arm, the controller configured to control the mechanism in dependence on the estimated position of the part of the robot arm such that as the robot arm retracts the instrument from the patient, the locator moves the port away from the robot arm and provides a reaction force to keep the port in place.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTICAL PERFORMANCE CAPTURED ANIMATED FIGURE WITH REAL-TIME REACTIVE PROJECTED MEDIA
20210205999 · 2021-07-08 ·

A reactive media system includes a motion control system having an animated figure with a body and actuators configured to adjust a figure portion of the body in response to interactive data received from one or more interactive data sources. The reactive media system includes a media control system having a tracking camera configured to generate signals indicative of a current position and orientation of the figure portion based on a set of trackers coupled to the figure portion. The media control system includes a media controller configured to receive the signals, determine the current position and orientation based on the signals, and generate data indicative of images to be projected onto an external surface of the figure portion having the current position and orientation. The media control system also includes a projector configured to receive the data from the media controller and project the images onto the external surface.

METHOD FOR MOVING AN EXOSKELETON

The present invention relates to a method for moving a bipedal exoskeleton (1) accommodating a human operator, the method comprising the implementation, by data processing means (11c) of the exoskeleton (1), of steps of: (a) obtaining a theoretical elementary trajectory of the exoskeleton (1); (b) executing a control loop defining the change in an actual position of the exoskeleton (1) so as to implement an actual elementary trajectory close to said theoretical elementary trajectory, comprising, in each iteration of the loop: estimating a current state of the exoskeleton (1) as a function of said actual position; determining a force torsor to be applied to the exoskeleton (1) in the next iteration of the loop to compensate for a deviation between said estimated current state of the exoskeleton (1) and an expected state of the exoskeleton (1) according to said theoretical elementary trajectory; the determination of the force torsor and/or the application thereof to the exoskeleton (1) taking into account a model of the flexibility of the exoskeleton (1) with respect to a rigid robot.

PHOTOGRAMMETRIC CABLE ROBOT
20210003386 · 2021-01-07 ·

A method for parameterizing a photogrammetric cable robot, having a frame, a mobile platform carrying a camera and cables, each cable extending from a mobile platform attachment point to a position-adjustable exit point, while remaining linked to the frame. The robot's maximum workspace is defined by the ranges of possible positions of the different cable exit points. A set of pairs of setpoint positions and orientations of the platform is determined, for performing the point measurements of a scene by photogrammetry. Then, a genetic algorithm comprising crossing, transformation and selection operations is applied to a population of vectors, each representing respective positions of cable exit points, the selection being made via a fitness function involving a first objective function evaluating a collision percentage and a second objective function evaluating a percentage violation of a mobile platform constraint of equilibrium, when the platform assumes the different setpoint positions and orientations.

ROTARY TOOL ADJUSTER FOR ROBOT WITH END OF ARM TOOL HAVING MULTIPLE TOOLS
20200398429 · 2020-12-24 ·

A method of adjusting multiple tools on a common mount includes the interrogating first and second actual target positions on at least one workpiece. A variance is determined between the first and second actual target position and first and second theoretical target positions. At least one of the first and second tools is moved relative to the other of the first and second tools from the first and second theoretical target positions to a desired spacing respectively aligned with the first and second actual target positions.

PROCESSING DEVICE
20200384641 · 2020-12-10 · ·

A processing device with a processing head including a processing unit designed as a tool and/or applicator unit, in particular a printer unit, and a first positioning device for moving the processing head in order to position the processing unit with a first accuracy at a specified processing position. The processing head has a second positioning device and the processing device is adapted to position the processing unit at the specified processing position with a second accuracy using the second positioning device, the second accuracy being higher than the first accuracy, so that the lower accuracy of the first positioning device is compensated for by the positioning with the second positioning device.