An intermediary device may be configured to allow an authorized visitor to access a secure facility (such as a home) on behalf of an owner. The intermediary device may generate an authenticator and provide the authenticator to a service provider, who may then present the authenticator to the intermediary device upon arriving at the facility. The intermediary device may unlock or open, or lock and close, any doors within the facility as necessary in order to grant access to a specific portion of the facility and restrict access to other portions of the facility. The intermediary device may also capture, or cause the capture of, images or other data regarding actions taken by the service provider, and establish a communications channel with the owner for the exchange of information or data regarding such actions, or any events or conditions of the facility.

The invention relates to a method for conveying components and to an automated vacuum gripper (1) for components (3), in particular sheet metal parts, comprising a plurality of suction elements (4), which are arranged at a preferably movable support part (5), a first vacuum generator (8) for forming a first vacuum circuit (9), a second vacuum generator (10) for forming a second vacuum circuit (11), at least one switching element connected to a system controller (14) for automated switching of the first vacuum circuit (9) to the second vacuum circuit (11), at least one compressed air supply (15) connected to at least the first and the second vacuum generators (8), at least one sensor device (16, 17), wherein the first vacuum generator (8) is associated with a first predeterminable group (12) of suction elements (4), and the second vacuum generator (10) is connected to a vacuum tank (18) for forming a second vacuum circuit (11), which may be activated in case of emergency and is redundant to the first vacuum circuit (9), and wherein at least one first sensor device is (16) is formed for monitoring the vacuum at least at the first vacuum circuit (9), and at least one second sensor device (17) has an optical sensor for detecting a relative movement of the component (3) during a conveying operation.

The invention relates to an automated vacuum gripper, a feed unit and a method for conveying flat components (3). The vacuum gripper (1) comprises a support part (5), at least one support part element (7), a plurality of first suction elements (4′), which are arranged at the at least one support part element (7) and define a first suction plane; at least one bearing assembly (28) and at least one actuating assembly (29), wherein the at least one support part element (7) is pivotably mounted at the support part (5) by means of the at least one actuating assembly (29) about the at least one bearing assembly (28). The plurality of second elements (4) is arranged at the support part (5) and defines a second suction plane (19). The at least one support part element (7) with its first suction plane defined by the plurality of first suction elements (4′) is pivotable from a standby position that is at an angle relative to the second suction plane into a working position that is congruous with the second suction plane, and vice versa.

Robotic picking devices and methods for performing a picking operation. The methods described herein may involve determining that a picking device is unable to grasp an item and then performing, using a perturbation mechanism, a perturbation operation to perturb the item so that the picking device is more likely to grasp the item by executing a subsequent grasp attempt.

A robot comprises a mobile base, a robotic arm operatively coupled to the mobile base, a plurality of distance sensors, at least one antenna configured to receive one or more signals from a monitoring system external to the robot, and a computer processor. The computer processor is configured to limit one or more operations of the robot when it is determined that the one or more signals are not received by the at least one antenna.

A robot comprises a mobile base, a robotic arm operatively coupled to the mobile base, and at least one interface configured to enable selective coupling to at least one accessory. The at least one interface comprises an electrical interface configured to transmit power and/or data between the robot and the at least one accessory, and a mechanical interface configured to enable physical coupling between the robot and the at least one accessory.

A robot includes a mobile base, a turntable rotatably coupled to the mobile base, a robotic arm operatively coupled to the turntable, and at least one directional sensor. An orientation of the at least one directional sensor is independently controllable. A method of controlling a robotic arm includes controlling a state of a mobile base and controlling a state of a robotic arm coupled to the mobile base, based, at least in part, on the state of the mobile base.

A perception mast for mobile robot is provided. The mobile robot comprises a mobile base, a turntable operatively coupled to the mobile base, the turntable configured to rotate about a first axis, an arm operatively coupled to a first location on the turntable, and the perception mast operatively coupled to a second location on the turntable, the perception mast configured to rotate about a second axis parallel to the first axis, wherein the perception mast includes disposed thereon, a first perception module and a second perception module arranged between the first imaging module and the turntable.

A robotic device including one or more proximity sensing systems coupled to various portions of a robot body. The proximity sensing systems detect a distance of an object about the robot body and the robotic device reacts based on the detected distance. The proximity sensing systems obtain a three-dimensional (3D) profile of the object to determine a category of the object. The distance of the object is detected multiple times in a sequence to determine a movement path of the object.

A robot includes a first member, a second member that is provided to be turnable about a turning axis with respect to the first member, marks that are disposed around the turning axis on a surface of the second member, and a mark detection portion that is disposed in the first member and detects the marks.