The invention relates to the improvement of exoskeletons and masters thereof and to their use in teleoperative applications in virtual worlds or the real world. Non-actuated exoskeletons can be used to transfer loads from the user, for example, heavy luggage, tools or also the body weight of the user, to the ground and to relieve the joint and muscle system of the user. This can increase the endurance and also effective strength of the user. Motor-driven, actuated exoskeletons can be used in different fields. They can be worn as a freely moveable robotic suit which comprises a built-in energy supply and electronic control. They can also be used to improve the force and endurance of a user whilst the user moves in an unlimited environment. Another use of the fixed exoskeleton is in the field of interaction with virtual worlds or for controlling real robots. In this instance, an exoskeleton can be used to establish a teleoperative connection between the user and the master (virtual avatar or real robot). The user users the exoskeleton to directly transfer control commands to the master. The elements of the user and the master then practically carry out the same movements synchronously. The aim of the invention is to improve exoskeletons and masters of the mentioned type and the associated control units. This can, in particular, be achieved by a favorable realization of rotational axes which define rotational movements of different elements which to a large extent perform a hip movement.

A robotic dolly transfer system configured to transport dollies includes a full dolly transfer system and an empty dolly transfer system. The full dolly transfer system and the empty dolly transfer system individually include a rail assembly and a carriage. The carriage is slidably attached to the rail assembly and includes a bottom surface that has a post extending outwardly. The rail assembly includes a rail actuator assembly having an actuator and a receiver attached to the actuator. The receiver includes an opening that receives the post such that the post floats within the opening to permit the carriage to move a predetermined amount independent from the receiver. The actuator is configured to displace the receiver such that receiver contacts the post to slide the carriage with respect to the rail assembly. A end effector is pivotally connected to a transfer arm assembly and is configured to engage the dolly.

A substrate processing apparatus, includes: a substrate transfer mechanism configured to advance and retreat a holding body that holds a substrate by symmetrically arranging two link mechanisms each including a driving arm and a driven arm; a processing module; a rotation angle measuring part configured to measure a rotation angle the driving arms; a holding body detection part configured to detect that a specific portion of the holding body is located at a predetermined position; and a controller configured to execute a step of acquiring a measurement value of the rotation angle of the driving arm, a step of obtaining a moving average of the measurement value of the rotation angle, and a step of obtaining a correction amount of the rotation angle so that a substrate transfer position of the holding body of the substrate transfer mechanism for the processing module becomes a reference position.

In a parallel link mechanism, a distal end side link hub is coupled to a proximal end side link hub via three link mechanisms such that a posture of the distal end side link hub can be changed relative to the proximal end side link hub. Each link mechanism includes a proximal side end link member rotatably coupled at one end thereof to the proximal end side link hub, a distal side end link member rotatably coupled at one end thereof to the distal end side link hub, and a center link member rotatably coupled at both ends thereof to other ends of the proximal and distal side end link members via both revolute pair sections. The parallel link mechanism includes a rotation transmission mechanism configured to allow rotation of one revolute pair section to rotate the other revolute pair section in reverse.

A working device (1) using a parallel link mechanism includes: a parallel link mechanism (10) by which end effectors (4, 5) are supported so as to be changeable in posture; and posture-controlling actuators (11) which actuate the parallel link mechanism (10). In the parallel link mechanism (10), a distal-end-side link hub (13) is connected to a proximal-end-side link hub (12) via three or more link mechanisms (14) so as to be changeable in posture of the distal-end-side link hub (13) relative to the proximal-end-side link hub (12). The end effectors (4, 5) are mounted to the distal-end-side link hub (12), and includes one main end effector (4) which performs a main work on a workpiece (3) and one or multiple sub end effectors (5) which perform an auxiliary work on the workpiece (3).

A work device includes a work device body and a contact preventer. The work device body includes a linear motion unit having three degrees of freedom and a rotary unit having three degrees of freedom. An end effector is mounted on an output portion of the rotary unit. The contact preventer separates a working region in which the work device body is installed, from a non-working region outside the working region. The contact preventer includes: an entry allowing portion allowing an object to enter the working region therethrough; and an entry allowing portion entry detection sensor configured to detect entry of an object into the working region through the entry allowing portions.

In the link operating device, a distal-end-side link hub is connected to a proximal-end-side link hub so as to be changeable in position relative thereto via at least three link mechanisms. Each link mechanism includes a proximal-side end link member, a distal-side end link member, and a center link member. Position-controlling actuators and speed reduction mechanisms are provided to two or more of the link mechanisms. The proximal-side end link member includes a bent portion and a pair of rotational connection bodies disposed at one end of the bent portion. The speed reduction mechanism is disposed between the pair of rotational connection bodies, and includes an output shaft fixed to one of the rotational connection bodies, and an input shaft rotatably supported by the other one of the rotational connection bodies.

In a link actuation device, a distal end side link hub is coupled to a proximal end side link hub via three or more link mechanisms such that a posture of the distal end side link hub can be changed relative to the proximal end side link hub, and a posture of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end side link hub is arbitrarily changed by actuators provided to two or more link mechanisms. The manipulating device includes a posture acquirer for acquiring a distal end posture represented by a bending angle and a turning angle, from a coordinate position at which a distal end side spherical link center is projected onto a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system that has an origin located on an extension of an axis of the proximal end side link hub and is orthogonal to the extension of the axis.

A link actuation apparatus includes: a parallel link mechanism including a proximal-side link hub, a distal-side link hub, and three or more link mechanisms each coupling the distal-side link hub to the proximal-side link hub such that a posture of the distal-side link hub can be changed relative to the proximal-side link hub; posture control drive sources; and a control device. The control device includes an abnormality detector including: a measurement section configured to measure a predetermined state value which is affected by abnormality in revolute pair parts of a link actuation apparatus body constituted by the parallel link mechanism and the posture control drive sources; and a determination section configured to determine if any of the revolute pair parts has abnormality in on the basis of a measurement result obtained by the measurement section. For example, the measurement section measures rigidity, or driving torque or the like.

A robotic lifting and orienting system for an overspray-free paint system includes: a base coupled to wheels; and an automated carrier coupled to the base. The automated carrier includes: a fixture assembly configured to hold an object to be painted; one or more manipulators configured to move the fixture assembly relative to a paint robot; a propulsion system connected to the wheels and configured to move the robotic lifting and orienting system; and a control module configured to control the one or more manipulators and the propulsion system to control positioning and orienting of the object relative to at least one of the paint robot and an overspray-free paint applicator of the paint robot.