A method includes receiving a first time-parameterized path for the first robotic device, and an indication of a second robotic device having a second time-parameterized path that overlaps with the first time-parameterized path at a first location. The method also includes executing, by the first robotic device, a first portion of the first time-parameterized path before reaching the first location, wherein execution of the first portion corresponds to a first rate of progress of the first robotic device along the first time-parameterized path. The first robotic device then receives a communication signal from the second robotic device indicating a second rate of progress of the second robotic device along the second time-parameterized path. The method then includes the first robotic device determining a difference between the first rate of progress and the second rate of progress, and modifying execution of the first time-parameterized path based on the determined difference.

A generation laser irradiation device irradiates a weld after welding with a generation laser. A detection laser probe irradiates an ultrasonic detection point that passes through the weld and is capable of detecting an ultrasonic wave reflected on a lower surface of a base material with detection laser. A control device determines existence of an internal defect of the weld based on a measurement result of a laser interferometer. The generation laser irradiation device includes a scanning mechanism that scans an irradiation position of the generation laser in a direction intersecting a welding direction.

A current limiting device includes a current limiter to limit a current to be carried to a drive within a range of a current limit value. The current limit value is set to change according to an acceleration of the drive.

A robot collision detection device and a method thereof are provided. The robot collision detection device includes a buffer that periodically stores a driving command for allowing a robot to move to a destination and a sensor that detects a behavior of the robot. A controller monitors the driving command and a behavior of the robot corresponding to the driving command, and determines whether there is a robot collision based on the driving command and the behavior of the robot.

A deterioration diagnosis apparatus is for a mechanical apparatus including a power transmission mechanism that transmits power via a gear. The deterioration diagnosis apparatus includes: a storing unit that stores, in advance, a trend of change along with the operation of the mechanical apparatus, in consumption rate of an additive contained in lubricant used for the gear; and a determination unit that determines the period to be taken for the consumption rate of the additive to reach a predetermined value, based on the trend of change in the consumption rate of the additive.

A sensor system includes a first member that extends along a rotational axis and has a surface disposed circumferentially about the rotational axis. A conductive element is disposed on the surface of the first member and disposed about the rotational axis. A second member extends along the rotational axis. A rotational position between the first member and the second member is adjustable. A target is mounted to and rotatable with the second member and is movable relative to the second member between first and second positions. The target is spaced apart from the conductive element in both the first and second positions and is spaced further from the conductive element in the second position compared to the first position. The conductive element detects a change in movement of the target from the first position to the second position for any rotational position between the first member and the second member.

A trajectory generating method includes a first generating process of generating a plurality of trajectories between a start teaching point and a target teaching point, an evaluation process of evaluating a motion of the robot arm on each trajectory to calculate an evaluation value of each trajectory, a selection process of selecting one of the plurality of trajectories based on calculated evaluation values, and an update process of updating the trajectory by repeating the processes of generating a plurality of new trajectories by changing a selected trajectory in the selection process, of calculating an evaluation value of a motion of the robot arm on each changed trajectory and of selecting a trajectory based on calculated evaluation values.

A method of the present disclosure is a path generation method of generating a path of a robot using a command from an external apparatus, including (a) sequentially receiving command information including a control command from the external apparatus, and (b) determining a path position with interpolation between a first target position and a second target position. The step (b) includes (b1) obtaining the path position by performing linear interpolation between the first target position and the second target position, (b2) determining whether or not path speed at the second target position is no lower than lower limit speed, and (b3) correcting the path speed between the first target position and the second target position so as to become no lower than the lower limit speed when it is determined that the path speed at the second target position fails to be no lower than the lower limit speed.

A virtualization system implemented within a cloud server enables the simulation of robot structure and behavior in a virtual environment. The simulated robots are controlled by clients remote from the cloud server, enabling human operators or autonomous robot control programs running on the clients to control the movement and behavior of the simulated robots within the virtual environment. Data describing interactions between robots, the virtual environment, and objects can be recorded for use in future robot design. The virtualization system can include robot templates, enabling users to quickly select and customize a robot to be simulated, and further enabling users to update and re-customize the robot in real-time during the simulation. The virtualization system can re-simulate a portion of the robot simulation when an intervention by a human operator is detected, positioning robots, people, and objects within the virtual environment based on the detected intervention.

Given a method for driving an electric motor in a direct drive environment, it is an objective of the present invention to smoothen the effect of cogging torque. The objective is solved by the method comprising calibration steps: a) control the motor to run at a first velocity in a first direction and, while miming the motor in the first direction, measure first current values for a plurality of motor positions, the first current values indicating currents required to run the motor at the first velocity at each of the plurality of motor positions; b) control the motor to run at a second velocity in a second direction and, while running the motor in the second direction, measure second current values for the same plurality of motor positions as determined in step a), the second current values indicating currents required to run the motor at the second velocity at each of the plurality of motor positions; c) for each motor position of the plurality of motor positions, calculate an average of the first and the second current measurements to generate averaged current measurements values for the plurality of motor positions; and d) store a map between the plurality of motor positions and corresponding averaged current measurements values; the method further comprising motor driving steps: e) receive a desired driving current; f) receive a signal indicating a motor position at a present time; g) use the map to determine a delta current for the motor position at the present time; h) add the delta current to the desired driving current to generate a compensated driving current; and i) drive the motor using the compensated driving current.