A control device includes a processor which, when an accessory is fitted onto an apparatus, controls a driver such that the accessory interferes with operation of a movable part of the apparatus, acquires data indicating a position of the movable part at which the accessory interferes with the operation of the movable part, and controls the driver such that the movable part is driven within a movable range which is set based on the acquired data indicating the position of the movable part.

An electronic guide dog includes: a main frame, front drive wheels disposed on both sides of a front portion of the main frame, and rear drive wheels disposed on both sides of a rear portion of the main frame, wherein the front drive wheels and the rear drive wheels are connected to the main frame through front arms and rear arms, respectively; wherein the electronic guide dog further comprises: a head frame hinged to a front of a top end of the main frame, wherein a signal receiving board is provided on the head frame; a drive mechanism comprising a rear drive motor; a swivel obstacle avoidance mechanism comprising an infrared sensor provided on a front side of the main frame, a left front drive motor and a right front drive motor; an identification braking mechanism; a front arm swing mechanism; and an auxiliary support mechanism.

Sensing systems as well as their methods of operation and training are described. In some embodiments, a sensing system may include a compliant contact pad configured to contact an environment, and a plurality of sensors configured to detect a physical parameter associated with deformation of the compliant contact pad. A processor configured to receive signals from the plurality of sensors may determine a magnitude and direction of a force applied to the compliant contact pad.

A material picker assembly is disclosed, including: a connector configured to be attached to an actuator device; and a plurality of picker mechanisms, wherein each picker mechanism includes a suspension element that is configured to absorb impact on the picker mechanism by one or more objects.

Toolable modules, each having a set of functions and capabilities which are configurable to function cooperatively, to create a set of Robotic arms. Each finger of the module enables a specific task to be accomplished, providing multiple degrees of movements, enabling the Robotic arms to be deployed in highly precise applications and capable of responding to complex tasks. In coordination with an imaging system and a control system the functionality of the Robotic arms are programmable, scalable and configurable in addition to being able to communicate with the external interfaces in a predetermined protocol, thereby providing “Plug and Play” functionality.

A device for enhancing a user's grasping capability comprises a belt-like support configured to be tightly fitted about a user's part of the body; an articulated gripping element having a plurality of phalanxes: proximal, fixed to the support, intermediate and distal, which are articulated to each other by articular joints; a motor unit fixed to the support; a winding drum; a tendon partially wound on the drum and extending along the phalanxes and the joints, arranged so that, by pulling it from the drum, the phalanxes rotate about respective articular joints and move the articulated gripping element from an extended position to a gripping bow-shaped position, causing a flexion/extension movement of the articulated gripping element, the joints configured so that by releasing the tendon from the drum, the phalanxes rotate about the respective joints and move the articulated gripping element between gripping bow-shaped position and extended position.

A work machine unit includes: a support member assembled to an end effector connection part of an operating machine; a work machine part assembled to one end of the support member; and a linear guide disposed at another end of the support member across its connection to the end effector connection part from the support member, arranged in parallel to an axial direction of the work machine part, and configured to abut against a work object or its peripheral structural object. Further, the linear guide is passed through a through-hole formed in the support member, and the support member is configured to move in the axial direction of the work machine part as guided by the linear guide.

A guest robot acquires a right of access to a resource a host robot can access after accreditation by the host robot. The host robot accredits the guest robot on condition that the guest robot is positioned within a predetermined distance. The guest robot receives behavioral characteristic information from a server that determines behavioral characteristics of the host robot, and selects a motion in accordance with the behavioral characteristic information. A behavioral restriction that is not imposed on the host robot may be imposed on the guest robot.

A compound sensor that is capable of being used with robotics is provided such that the compound sensor includes a distance measurement unit and a pressure measurement unit. Further, a contact detection unit, which is dedicated to performing a detection when a measurement target contacts with a surface of the sensor is included.

A robot control system, including: a mobile robot having a situation-detecting unit detecting surrounding situations; a user apparatus operating in a manner recognizable by a user based on signals detected by the situation-detecting unit; an action-detecting unit detecting a predetermined action of the user; a brain-activity-detecting unit detecting a brain activity of the user; and a robot-controlling unit controlling the robot. The user apparatus has a computing unit analyzing the brain activity of the user detected by the brain-activity-detecting unit to output a first-action instruction from the user to the robot. The robot controlling unit further controlling the robot in accordance with the first-action instruction output by the computing unit and controlling, when the predetermined action is detected by the action-detecting unit during operation of the user apparatus, the robot in accordance with a second-action instruction different from the first-action instruction output by the computing unit.