An approach to positioning one or more robotic arms in an assembly system may be described herein. For example, an apparatus may include a first robotic arm having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end may be configured for movement and the proximal end may secure the first robotic arm. The apparatus may further include a camera connected with the distal end of the first robotic arm. The camera may be configured to capture image data of a marker connected with a second robotic arm and provide the image data to a computer. The computer may generate a set of instructions for the first robotic arm based on the image data of the marker. The movement of the first robotic arm may be caused by the computer according to the generated set of instructions.

A handling apparatus has an arm having a joint; a holding portion attached to the arm and configured to hold an object; a sensor configured to detect a plurality of the objects; and a control apparatus configured to control the arm and the holding portion, wherein the control apparatus is configured to calculate an ease of holding the object by the holding portion as a score based on information acquired by the sensor with respect to each object and each holding method, select the object to hold and the holding method according to the score, and calculate a position for holding the selected object and an orientation of the arm.

A control device includes a first processing unit and a second processing unit. One processing unit of the first processing unit and the second processing unit is configured to retain a predetermined variable available in both a calculation by the first processing unit and a calculation by the second processing unit, and the other processing unit of the first processing unit and the second processing unit is configured to access the predetermined variable via the one processing unit.

A method for redundant control in a distributed automation system, preferably a real-time automation system, for operating a client device of the distributed automation system is discussed. The method includes using the client device to monitor for the occurrence of a fault in communication between the client device and a first computing infrastructure that is part of the distributed automation system and operates the client device. The method may also include using the client device, once the fault occurs, to instruct a second computing infrastructure of the distributed automation system to operate the client device.

In a robot system, a control section causes a first gripping section to grip a connector of a cable, at one end of which the connector is provided and the other end of which is fixed, causes an imaging section to image the connector, causes, based on a result of the imaging by the imaging section, a second gripping section to grip the connector in a state in which the position of the first gripping section is maintained, causes the first gripping section to release the gripping of the connector, causes, based on the imaging result, the second gripping section to adjust a posture of the connector, and causes the first gripping section to grip the connector, the posture of which is adjusted, again.

A method of transporting an object using a system comprising a plurality of robots. The method comprises one or more robots of the plurality of robots arranging themselves to each exert a respective transporting force on the object. Each of the one or more robots evaluates whether it satisfies a transport criterion while arranged to exert the respective transporting force on the object. If all of the one or more robots satisfy the transport criterion, the one or more robots exert the respective transporting forces on the object to transport the object towards a destination. At least one of the one or more robots evaluates whether it satisfies the transport criterion based on observations of other robots of the plurality of robots within its vicinity.

A biped robot control methods and a biped robot using the same as well as a computer readable storage medium are provided. The method includes: obtaining an initial distance between a centroid of a double inverted pendulum model of the biped robot and a support point of the biped robot, an initial moving speed of the centroid and an initial displacement of the centroid; calculating a measured value of a stable point of the doable inverted pendulum model based on the initial distance and the initial moving speed; calculating a control output quantity based on the initial moving speed and the measured value of the stable point; calculating a desired displacement of the centroid of the double-inverted pendulum model based on the initial moving speed, the initial displacement, and the control output quantity; and controlling the biped robot to move laterally according to the desired displacement.

An improved method, system, and apparatus is provided to implement a general architecture for robot systems. A mode execution module is provided to universally execute execution modes on different robotic system. A system includes an execution module that receives software instructions in a normalized programming language. The system also includes an interface having a translation layer that converts the software instructions from the normalized language into robot-specific instructions that operate in a particular robotic system. The system further includes a controller that is communicatively coupled to the interface, wherein the controller receives the robot-specific instructions. Moreover, the system includes a robotic device that is operatively controlled by the controller by execution of the robot-specific instructions.

Surgical robot systems for remote manipulation having robotic telemanipulators are provided. The surgical robot systems are well adapted for use by the surgeon, seamlessly integrateable into the operation room, allow for a surgeon to work between the robot and the patient throughout a surgery in a sterile manner, are relatively low cost, and/or permit integrated laparoscopy. The system preferably includes a master console having a plurality of master links interconnected by a plurality of master joints, and a handle coupled to the master console for operating the telemanipulator. The system further includes a slave console operatively coupled to the master console and having a plurality of slave links interconnected by a plurality of slave joints that move responsive to movement at the master console to permit an end-effector to perform surgery.

A system and method for loading railcars of a train wherein the railcars are provided with upper lids having latches for securing the lids in a closed position. The system comprises at least one sensing system for determining the position of the latches and the lids in order for one or more robot arms to perform operations such as unlatching, latching, lid opening and lid closing. At least one velocity sensor measures individual railcar velocity rather than overall train speed to enable engagement of the one or more robotic arms, as adjacent railcars may move at differing velocities due to slack in the connections between them.