An apparatus state data structure for controlling a technical apparatus includes at least one capability data field and at least one associated data field. Each capability data field indicates a respective functionality of the technical apparatus. Each associated data field is associated with a respective capability data field. The at least one associated data field includes at least one required component state data field and at least one required diagnostic data field. Each required component state data field indicates a configuration of a respective component required for the functionality of the capability data field associated with the respective required component state data field. Each required diagnostic data field indicates a respective operational state of a component of the technical apparatus required for the functionality of the capability data field associated with the respective required diagnostic data field.

A computer-implemented method executed by data processing hardware of a robot causes the data processing hardware to receive sensor data associated with a door. The data processing hardware determines, using the sensor data, door properties of the door. The door properties can include a door width, a grasp search ray, a grasp type, a swing direction, or a door handedness. The data processing hardware generates a door movement operation based on the door properties. The data processing hardware can execute the door movement operation to move the door. The door movement operation can include pushing the door, pulling the door, hooking a frame of the door, or blocking the door. The data processing hardware can utilize the door movement operation to enable a robot to traverse a door without human intervention.

The present invention provides an unmanned transfer robot system including: an unmanned transfer vehicle capable of traveling on a road surface between a plurality of work stations; a robot that is mounted on the unmanned transfer vehicle; a sensor that is mounted on the robot and that detects a condition of the road surface; and a control unit that controls the robot and the unmanned transfer vehicle. Within an operation range of the robot, the sensor is disposed at a position where the sensor can detect a condition of the road surface in the periphery of the unmanned transfer vehicle, and the control unit controls the unmanned transfer vehicle on the basis of the condition of the road surface acquired by the sensor.

An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a discontinuous plurality of track sections on which an automated carrier may be directed to move, and the automated carrier includes a base structure on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.

A method includes receiving, by a control system of a robotic device, data about an object in an environment from a remote computing device, where the data comprises at least location data and identifier data. The method further includes, based on the location data, causing at least one appendage of the robotic device to move through a predetermined learning motion path. The method additionally includes, while the at least one appendage moves through the predetermined learning motion path, causing one or more visual sensors to capture a plurality of images for potential association with the identifier data. The method further includes sending, to the remote computing device, the plurality of captured images to be displayed on a display interface of the remote computing device.

Implementations set forth herein relate to a robotic computing device that can perform certain operations, such as communicating between users in a common space, according to certain preferences of the users. When interacting with a particular user, the robotic computing device can perform an operation at a preferred location relative to the particular user based on an express or implied preference of that particular user. For instance, certain types of operations can be performed at a first location within a room, and other types of operations can be performed at a second location within the room. When an operation involves following or guiding a user, parameters for driving the robotic computing device can be selected based on preferences of the user and/or a context in which the robotic computing device is interacting with the user (e.g., whether or not the context indicates some amount of urgency).

Measures for use in operating a robot having one or more sensors. A representation of an environment of the robot is generated by operating the one or more sensors to sense a set of parameters representative of the environment of the robot. A list of objects in the environment and associated identifiers for each object in the list is generated. Control data is received from the electronic user device. The control data includes an identifier for an object in the generated list that a user of the electronic user device wishes to locate within the environment. In response to receipt of the control data, the robot and the one or more sensors are operated to search the environment to determine a location of the identified object in the environment.

A system for automated guided vehicle safety may include an automated guided vehicle (AGV) having a propulsion system configured to move the AGV, and a processor configured to control the propulsion system, and a laser imaging system configured to deploy a virtual safety fence at least partially surrounding the AGV. The laser imaging system may include a plurality of laser imaging sensors including a front sensor and a rear sensor, and a movable boom, the front sensor being mounted to the movable boom and configured to extend in front of the housing of the AGV.

A mobile robotic arm configured to provide on-demand assistance is disclosed. In an example, a robotic system includes a platform, at least two wheels connected to the platform and driven by respective motors, a robotic arm having a base that is connected to the platform, an end-effector connected to the robotic arm at an end opposite the base, and a processor communicatively coupled to the respective motors, the robotic arm, and the end-effector. The processor is configured to receive a command or determine that an item has fallen on a floor, locate the item on the floor, determine a distance and a heading to the item, cause the respective motors to move the platform to the item within range of the robotic arm, cause the robotic arm to grasp the item with the end-effector, and cause the robotic arm to provide the item to a user.

A method and system are herein disclosed wherein a robot handles objects that are large, unwieldy, highly-deformable, or otherwise difficult to contain and carry. The robot is operated to navigate an environment and detect and classify objects using a sensing system. The robot determines the type, size and location of objects and classifies the objects based on detected attributes. Grabber pad arms and grabber pads move other objects out of the way and move the target object onto the shovel to be carried. The robot maneuvers objects into and out of a containment area comprising the shovel and grabber pad arms following a process optimized for the type of object to be transported. Large, unwieldy, highly deformable, or otherwise difficult to maneuver objects may be managed by the method disclosed herein.