A robot configured to use a gripper to grasp one or more tools is disclosed. In various embodiments, the robot comprises a robotic arm having a gripper disposed at a free moving end of the robotic arm, and a set of two or more tools configured to grasped or otherwise engaged by the gripper. Each tool in the set of two or more tools may be disposed in a corresponding tool holder, optionally attached to the robot or situated near the robot. The robot is configured to use the gripper to retrieve a selected tool from its tool holder to perform a task; use the tool to perform the task; and return the tool to its tool holder.

A robotic system includes a robotic manipulator having one or more contact pads. The contact pads have features therein that are detectable to determine or measure a degree to which they have worn down. Such features may include fluorescent materials, colorful materials, and/or RFID tags. A robotic environment may include one or more sensors to detect such features, and may be configured to generate a signal indicating that one or more contact pads are in need of maintenance.

Prosthetic devices, such as prosthetic hands (including, e.g., bionic prosthetic hands controlled by myoelectric signals and/or equipped with force sensors for feedback) can utilize a modular design to simplify assembly and repair. In some embodiments, low-cost additive manufacturing techniques are employed, e.g., to create prosthetic device parts with complex interior geometries and/or functionally integrated components.

The invention is based on a precision apparatus for placement into storage and/or removal from storage (54) for an at least semiautomated placement into storage and/or removal from storage of tools (10), in particular tool assemblies (12), and/or of tool chucks (14) into and/or out of a storage lift (16), with at least one holding unit (24) for tools (10), in particular tool assemblies (14), and/or tool chucks (14), which is loadable by a handling robot (18) and forms a plurality of storage bins (20, 22).

It is proposed that the holding unit (24) comprises at least one form-fitting centering element (26), which is configured to interact with a centering bolt (28) and/or a centering recess for a submillimeter-precise horizontal orientation of the holding unit (24).

A robot system includes an actuator which operates a pair of finger members so that tip-end parts of the pair of finger members approach or separate to/from each other, a control device, and a pair of claw members.

A base-end part of the claw member is provided with an engaging part. The tip-end part of the finger member is provided with a to-be-engaged part which is capable of engaging with the engaging part. One of the engaging part and the to-be-engaged part has a concave shape extending in a direction from the tip-end part of one of the finger members to the tip-end part of the other finger member. The control device operates the finger members so that one of the pair of finger members and the pair of claw members are located between the other pair, and then operates the pair of finger members so that each of the pair of finger members is brought closer to the corresponding claw member to engage the to-be-engaged part with the engaging part.

A clamp device for retaining a container in a container-handling apparatus, for example for retaining a drinks container in a container-handling apparatus of a bottling plant, includes two clamp arms which can be moved relative to one another, wherein at least one clamp arm has an interchangeable clamp jaw with a retaining portion for retaining the container which is to be retained, wherein the clamp jaw has a latching element for undergoing a form fit with a recess formed in the associated clamp arm. A clamp jaw and a container-handling apparatus are also described.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and a method for operating a twistlock and an associated robot. The apparatus comprises a clamping assembly comprising a plurality of pairs of clamping portions spaced apart by different distances and adapted to engage with different types of twistlocks, respectively; and an operating assembly adapted to drive one of the plurality of pairs of clamping portions to clamp the twistlock and to drive the clamped twistlock to rotate, to allow the clamped twistlock to be mounted on or removed from a container. In this way, the apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to most types of twistlocks without changing the clamping assembly, thereby improving the operation efficiency and reducing the costs.

Exemplary embodiments relate to improvements in robotic systems to reduce biological or chemical harborage points on the systems. For example, in exemplary embodiments, robotic actuators, hubs, or entire robotic systems may be configured to allow crevices along joints or near fasteners to be reduced or eliminated, hard corners to be replaced with rounded edges, certain components or harborage points to be eliminated, shapes to be reconfigured to be smoother or flat, and/or or surfaces to be reconfigurable for simpler cleaning.

The adapter interchange system for robotised systems comprising a robotic arm (1) provided with a tool (2) at one of the ends thereof, with said tool (2) comprising at least one actuator (3) joined to the end of said robotic arm (1) and at least one adapter (4) detachably joined to said at least one actuator (3). It allows an adapter interchange system to be provided which allows the adapter of the actuator of the tool to be changed, instead of changing the entire tool, to provide a less complex and more economical solution.

The system for handling elements comprises a robotic arm (1) provided with at least one tool (2) on one of the ends thereof, wherein the system for handling also comprises a support plate (10) from which a plurality of bristles (20) emerge, the ends of the bristles (20) further from the support plate (10) defining a support surface intended to receive said elements. It provides a system for handling elements which facilitates the handling thereof, meaning, the grabbing, securing, transportation, and releasing thereof.