A method for palletizing includes receiving a target box location for a box grasped by the end-effector, the box having a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces. The method also includes positioning the box at an initial position adjacent to the target box location and tilting the box at an angle relative to a ground plane where the angle is formed between the ground plane and the bottom surface. The method further includes shifting the box from the initial position in a first direction to a first alignment position that satisfies a threshold first alignment distance, shifting the box from the first alignment position in a second direction to the target box location that satisfies a threshold second alignment distance, and releasing the box from the end-effector. The release of the box causes the box to pivot toward a boundary edge of the target box location.

A method for a multi-body controller receives steering commands for a robot to perform a given task. The robot includes an inverted pendulum body, a plurality of joints, an arm coupled to the inverted pendulum body, a leg coupled to the inverted pendulum body, and a drive wheel rotatably coupled to the leg. With the steering commands, the method generates a wheel torque and a wheel axle force to perform the given task. The method includes receiving movement constraints for the robot and manipulation inputs configured to manipulate the arm to perform the given task. For each joint, the method generates a corresponding joint torque having an angular momentum where the joint torque satisfies the movement constraints based on the manipulation inputs, the wheel torque, and the wheel axle force. The method further includes controlling the robot to perform the given task using the joint torques.

A method of operating a robot includes driving a robot to approach a reach point, extending a manipulator arm forward of the reach point, and maintaining a drive wheel and a center of mass of the robot rearward of the reach point by moving a counter-balance body relative to an inverted pendulum body while extending the manipulator arm forward of the reach point. The robot includes the inverted pendulum body, the counter-balance body deposed on the inverted pendulum body, the manipulator arm connected to the inverted pendulum body, at least one leg having a first end prismatically coupled to the inverted pendulum body, and the drive wheel rotatably coupled to a second end of the at least one leg.

A robotic leg includes a hip, a first pulley attached to the hip and defining a first axis of rotation, a first leg portion having a first end portion and a second end portion, a second pulley rotatably coupled to the second end portion of the first leg portion and defining a second axis of rotation, a second leg portion having a first end portion and a second end portion, and a timing belt trained about the first pulley and the second pulley for synchronizing rotation of the first leg portion about the first axis of rotation and rotation of the second leg portion about the second axis of rotation. The first end portion of the first leg portion is rotatably coupled to the hip and configured to rotate about the first axis of rotation. The first end portion of the second leg portion is fixedly attached to the second pulley.

A method for operating a robot includes receiving a drive command to drive the robot across a work surface. The drive command includes a work mode command or a travel mode command. In response to receiving the work mode command, the method includes operating the robot in a work mode. In the work mode, the robot dynamically balances on a right drive wheel and a left drive wheel on the work surface, while keeping a non-drive wheel off of the work surface. In response to receiving the travel mode command, the method includes operating the robot in a travel mode. In the travel mode, the robot statically balances on the right drive wheel, the left drive wheel, and the non-drive wheel in contact with the work surface.

A method and apparatus for positioning robots using a gantry. A base platform is provided, and a work platform is positioned above the base platform for supporting one or more humans. One or more robots are supported on the base platform independently of the work platform. At least one gantry is positioned above the base platform and adjacent the work platform for supporting and positioning the robots along the work platform.

Provided is a robot for retrieving objects with different sizes, shapes, weights, placements, configurations, and/or other characteristics from a floor or raised height. The robot may include a motorized base, a lift that raises to a plurality of heights from the base, an upper platform attached over the lift, a vertical extension extending downwards from a frontside of the upper platform and in front of the lift, a lower platform with a proximal end coupled to the vertical extension and a distal end extending in front of the robot and directly over a ground surface on which the motorized base moves when the lift is in a lowered position, and a retriever for retrieving an object onto the lower platform.

A method of operating a robot includes assuming a resting pose of the robot on a surface. The robot includes an inverted pendulum body, a counter-balance body disposed on the inverted pendulum body and configured to move relative to the inverted pendulum body, at least one arm connected to the inverted pendulum body and configured to move relative to the inverted pendulum body, at least one leg prismatically coupled to the inverted pendulum body, and a drive wheel rotatably coupled to the at least one leg. The method also includes moving from the resting pose to a sitting pose by moving the counter-balance body relative to the inverted pendulum body away from the ground surface to position a center of mass of the robot substantially over the drive wheel. The method also includes moving from the sitting pose to a standing pose by altering a length of the at least one leg.

The present invention belongs to the field of medical rehabilitation training equipment, and particularly discloses a reversible mechanical arm gravitational torque balancing device, comprising a counterweight guide groove module, a counterweight, a mechanical arm joint, a rope, a guide pulley block, a counterweight disc, a mechanical arm joint link and a rack. The counterweight guide groove module is mounted on the rack; the counterweight has a lower end mounted on the counterweight guide groove module and an upper end connected to the rope, and the rope is wound on the counterweight disc after passing through the guide pulley block mounted on the rack; the mechanical arm joint is mounted on the rack and internally provided with a motor; the counterweight disc is mounted on an output shaft of the motor of the mechanical arm joint; and the mechanical arm joint link is also mounted on the output shaft of the motor of the mechanical arm joint and the gravity of the mechanical arm joint link produces a gravitational torque on the mechanical arm joint. The present invention can change the direction of the provided balance torque when the mechanical arm performs the morphological transformation, and features simple, rapid and labor-saving operation as well as reliable structure.

A testing system configured to determine at least one physical characteristic of a work piece. The testing system includes an effector frame having an effector interface configured for coupling with a manipulator assembly. The effector frame includes at least one torque sensor. A ballast bracket is configured for coupling between the at least one torque sensor and the work piece. The ballast bracket includes a sensor interface coupled with the at least one torque sensor, and at least one work piece latch configured for coupling with the work piece. A movable ballast assembly is coupled with the ballast bracket, and includes a counter ballast movably coupled with the ballast bracket and movable relative to the at least one torque sensor. A ballast actuator coupled with the counter ballast is configured to move the counter ballast relative to the at least one torque sensor.