Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a system and method for facilitating a search for a hybrid-manufacturing process plan for manufacturing an object. During operation, the system can obtain a set of partial order constraints constraining the order in which a set of at least two manufacturing actions, corresponding to addition or removal of predefined regions of space, appear in a process plan. The system can constrain, based on the set of partial order constraints, a search space. The search space can correspond to a tree in which the nodes represent the object's state and the edges represent available actions at each node. The system can then determine a set of optimized process plans represented by orderings of the actions, corresponding to paths on the search tree, that produce the desired final state in a cost-effective manner.

An autoteach system includes an autoteach pin that is a scannable feature having a fixed position within the autoteach system. The autoteach pin enables an autoteach operation of a robot arm of the wafer processing system. The autoteach operation is an operation to automatically teach the fixed position within the autoteach system to the robot arm of the wafer processing system. The autoteach pin includes a first portion including a cylindrical sidewall. The robot arm is to use the first portion to locate the fixed position within the autoteach system. The autoteach portion further includes a second portion including planar sidewalls that are configured to enable calibration of robot arm error.

Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads are disclosed. An activation signal is propagated in the system from a module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to external power source such as AC power. The system may use remote powering wherein few or all of the modules are powered from the same power source connected to the system in a single point. The power may be carried over dedicated wires or concurrently with the conductors carrying the activation signal. The payload may be a visual or an audible signaling device, and can be integrated within a module or external to it. The payload may be powered by a module or using a dedicated power source, and can involve randomness associated with its activation such as the delay, payload control or payload activation.

An automated control system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and an input device. The UAV includes: a sensor, a receiver; and memory. The memory includes a task association data including one or more tasks for execution by the UAV. The input device includes a tagging block. The tagging block allows an operator to tag an object of interest and send a tag regarding the object of interest to the UAV, via the receiver, wherein the object of interest is located within a visual field of the UAV. The sensor processes data within the visual field and the input device is configured to communicate the object of interest from the visual field tagged by the operator. The task is selected from the task association data and the UAV executes the task with respect to the object of interest from the visual field.

Robotic systems, methods of operation of robotic systems, and storage media including processor-executable instructions are disclosed herein. The system may include a robot, at least one processor in communication with the robot, and an operator interface in communication with the robot and the at least one processor. The method may include executing a first set of autonomous robot control instructions which causes a robot to autonomously perform the at least one task in an autonomous mode, and generating a second set of autonomous robot control instructions from the first set of autonomous robot control instructions and a first set of environmental sensor data received from a senor. Execution of the second set of autonomous robot control instructions causes the robot to autonomously perform the at least one task. The method may include producing at least one signal that represents the second set of autonomous robot control instructions.

The collaborative operation support device includes a display device including a display area; and a processor configured to detect, based on an image in which the operator or the robot is represented, a position of a section of the robot in the display area when the operator looks at the robot through the display area, the section associated with an operation mode of the robot specified by means of an input device; select, in accordance with the specified operation mode of the robot, display data corresponding to the specified mode among display data stored in a memory; and display the selected display data in the display area of the display device in such a way that the selected display data is displayed at a position that satisfies a certain positional relationship with the position of the section of the robot in the display area.

Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads are disclosed. An activation signal is propagated in the system from a module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to external power source such as AC power. The system may use remote powering wherein few or all of the modules are powered from the same power source connected to the system in a single point. The power may be carried over dedicated wires or concurrently with the conductors carrying the activation signal. The payload may be a visual or an audible signaling device, and can be integrated within a module or external to it. The payload may be powered by a module or using a dedicated power source, and can involve randomness associated with its activation such as the delay, payload control or payload activation.

An input control for providing motion commands to an actuator, including an input screen on which a plurality of movement symbols are arranged, each of which is associated with a motion command for the actuator, and which includes a sequence track for lining up copies of the movement symbols along an alignment direction, having a processor which is configured to interrogate the sequence track in order to determine a sequence of motion commands and to output the sequence of motion commands and/or an actuator control signal sequence which is dependent on the sequence of motion commands, and wherein. a sensor signal track is arranged in parallel with the sequence track, which is configured for displaying a sensor signal sequence of at least one sensor signal of a sensor system assigned to the actuator.