A method of operating a robotic control system comprising a master apparatus in communication with an input device having a handle and a slave system having a tool having an end effector whose position and orientation is determined in response to a position and orientation of the handle. The method involves producing a desired end effector position and a desired end effector orientation of the end effector, in response to a current position and a current orientation of the handle. The method further involves causing the input device to provide haptic feedback that impedes translational movement of the handle, while permitting rotational movement of the handle and preventing movement of the end effector, when a rotational alignment difference between the handle and the end effector meets a first criterion. The method further involves re-enabling translational movement of the handle when the rotational alignment difference meets a second criterion.

Plurality of robot main bodies a remote control device including contactless action detecting part configured to detect contactless action including at least one given operation instructing action by operator, and control device communicably connected to remote control device and configured to control operations of plurality of robot main bodies, are provided. Control device includes memory part configured to store operational instruction content data defining operation mode of robot main body corresponding to the at least one operation instructing action, operational instruction content identifying module configured to identify operation mode of robot main body corresponding to one of operation instructing action detected by contactless action detecting part based on operational instruction content data, and motion controlling module configured to control operation of at least one given robot main body among plurality of robot main bodies based on operation mode identified by operational instruction content identifying module.

A robot system which is capable of reducing an operator's workload and easily correcting preset operation of a robot. The robot system includes a robot main body having a plurality of joints, a control device configured to control operation of the robot main body and an operating device including a teaching device configured to teach the control device one of positional information on the robot main body and angular information on the plurality of joints so as to execute an automatic operation of the robot main body and a manipulator configured to receive a manipulating instruction from an operator to manually operate the robot main body or correct the operation of the robot main body under the automatic operation.

The present disclosure relates to a device including electrostatic brakes providing haptic kinaesthetic feedback to a user in e.g. assistive, rehabilitation or virtual reality scenarios, as well as tele-manipulation.

A fine work assistance system is configured such that a parallel link mechanism is used for a slave manipulator activated by a master operation, and a precise motion for microsurgery or the like is performed by remote control. In a slave unit of a master-slave manipulator, the parallel link mechanism with multiple degrees of freedom is used for a link mechanism in which an end effector is movable with respect to a base. Moreover, a tip operation part is driving by a hydraulic driving mechanism such that a plurality of linear actuators supported by the base move one ends of links so as to move the end effector, and the slave unit is activated in response to a user operation on the master unit. This achieves the precise motion of the end effector and causes the end effector to perform operations for a precise work.

Provided is a processing device that includes a processing unit that estimates a holding force with which an operator holds an operation body on the basis of a model that corresponds to a first robot. The first robot includes the operation body provided in a link connected to a passive articulation and a force sensor that detects a force applied to the operation body. The model regards the force sensor as a virtual articulation.

Provided are a robot assistance device and a robot assistance system capable of expanding the accuracy of human movement while completely maintaining human cognition and safety. The robot assistance device includes: an operation unit and an operated portion that are non-electrically connected to each other, wherein: a user is able to displace a target position defined by the operated portion while having self-awareness by operating the operation unit; a sensor unit provided on a drive unit and configured to acquire a feature information regarding a predetermined trajectory about a displacement of the target position, and the drive unit provided on the operated portion and configured to be driven so as to correct a deviation of the target position from the predetermined trajectory based on a control signal determined based on the feature information.

A nuclear dismantling system for dismantling equipment contaminated with radioactive contamination, including a dismantling apparatus to be operated remotely while in a nuclear facility and a control system communicatively coupled to the dismantling apparatus to control the dismantling apparatus remotely.

A surgical system includes a robotic arm, a constraint mechanism coupled to the robotic arm, and a computer system configured to control the robotic arm to constrain manual movement of the constraint mechanism to a plane. The computer system is also configured to control the robotic arm to lock the constraint mechanism in a desired pose when the constraint mechanism is moved to the desired pose via manual movement in the plane.

A hand controller for enabling a user to perform an activity and method for controlling a robotic arm is provided. The hand controller includes a bar with a grip and a plurality of motors to provide a force feedback to the user in response to the movement of the plurality of mechanical arms. The method involves receiving input corresponding to the manipulation of a bar and providing a force feedback in response to the movement of the plurality of mechanical arms.