An image processing apparatus capable of simplifying operations for determining an image pickup posture of an image pickup apparatus attached to a robot. The image processing apparatus processes an image that an image pickup apparatus attached to a robot picks up. The image processing apparatus includes a memory device that stores a set of instructions, and at least one processor that executes the set of instructions to specify a working area of the robot based on teaching point information showing a plurality of designated teaching points, specify an image pickup area of the image pickup apparatus so as to include the specified working area; and determine an image pickup posture of the robot based on the specified image pickup area.

An exoskeleton wear management method is provided. The method includes receiving inertial data from a sensing system; determining whether a left leg component of an exoskeleton device is parallel to a left leg of a user and a right leg component of the exoskeleton device is parallel to a right leg of the user according to the received inertial data; in response to determining that the left leg component/the right leg component is not parallel to the left leg/the right leg of the user, prompting an adjusting left leg component message/an adjusting right leg component message; and in response to determining that the left leg component is parallel to the left leg of the user and the right leg component is parallel to the right leg of the user, prompting a left leg component and right leg component correctly-worn message.

A robot control method includes: obtaining force information associated with feet of the robot; calculating a zero moment point of a COM of a body of the robot based on the force information; updating a position trajectory of the robot according to the zero moment point of the COM of the body to obtain an updated position of the COM of the body; obtaining posture information of the robot; updating a posture trajectory of the robot according to the posture information to obtain an updated pose angle; performing inverse kinematics analysis on the updated position of the COM of the body and the updated pose angle to obtain joint angles of legs of the robot; and controlling the robot to move according to the joint angles.

A task hierarchical control method as well as a robot and a storage medium using the same are provided. The method includes: obtaining a task instruction for a robot, where the task instruction is for determining a target task card including an amount of selection matrices for dividing a target task into the amount of hierarchical subtasks and a controller name for executing each of the hierarchical subtasks; obtaining a null space projection matrix of each of the hierarchical subtasks based on the corresponding selection matrix; generating control finks of the amount according to the corresponding controller of each of the hierarchical subtasks and the corresponding null space projection matrix; calculating a control torque of each of the control links and obtaining a hierarchical control output quantity by adding ail the control torques; and controlling the robot to perform the target task using the hierarchical control output quantity.

An object is to provide a mechanism that can ensure safe operation of a continuum robot. A block FTL calculates a target bending angle θ.sub.fFTL and a target rotational angle ζ.sub.fFTL of a following bending section on the basis of a target bending angle θ.sub.lt and a target rotational angle ζ.sub.lt of a distal-most bending section and a displacement of a base. A switch unit 330 selects the target bending angle θ.sub.fFTL and the target rotational angle θ.sub.fFTL of the following bending section obtained from the block FTL or a target bending angle θ.sub.lf and a target rotational angle ζ.sub.lf of the following bending section obtained from a block P.sub.l corresponding to following operating means. A kinematic computing unit 340 computes, on the basis of the target bending angle and the target rotational angle, a drive displacement by which a driving unit drives a wire in the following bending section.

Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in sensors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.

A sensing manipulator of an articulated arm is disclosed. The sensing manipulator includes a compliant section and a movement detection system provided along a first direction of the compliant section such that movement of the compliant section along both the first direction and at least one direction transverse to said first direction, are detectable by the movement detection system.

A Hardware Module for a robotic system includes at least one sensor for measuring an internal property of the Hardware Module, a communication unit for communicating with other Hardware Modules, a data storage unit and an embedded controller. The embedded controller is configured to collect collected data, the collected data including: status data representing the current status of the Hardware Module; and operating data representing usage of the Hardware Module wherein at least part of the collected data is determined from sensor data from the at least one sensor, and the embedded controller is configured to perform at least one of: storing the collected data on the data storage unit; and transmitting the collected data via the communication unit.

In an embodiment, a method during execution of a motion plan by a robotic arm includes determining a voice command from speech of a user said during the execution of the motion plan, determining a modification of the motion plan based on the voice command from the speech of the user, and executing the modification of the motion plan by the robotic arm.

A component mounting system includes a head to revolve multiple suction nozzles in a circumferential direction, a lifting and lowering device configured to lift and lower a suction nozzle at a predetermined revolving position, a storage device configured to store any one of multiple pieces of directionality information in association with identification information of the suction nozzle, and a control device configured to acquire corresponding directionality information from the storage device based on the acquired identification information of the suction nozzle and to perform pickup of the component supplied from the component supply device at the spinning position in accordance with the directionality information.