In one embodiment, a robotic end effector configured to mount to a robotic manipulator includes gripping elements configured to grasp objects, a drive mechanism configured to open and close the gripping elements, a central controller configured to control operation of the drive mechanism and the gripper elements, the central controller hosting a control program that enables control of the end effector independent of the robotic manipulator, and at least one of a forward-facing ultrasonic distance sensor configured to measure a distance between the gripping elements and an object to be grasped, and a forward-facing camera mounted between the gripping elements configured to capture video data of an object to be grasped.

A gripping unit grips a base having a thickness that is defined by an upper side and a lower side thereof and that conveys a product on the upper side. The gripping unit has a pair of first guides with corresponding guide surfaces in contact with the base. The guide surfaces extends as far as beneath the lower side of the base.

A cable conveying apparatus including a first feed robot configured to feed a box containing cable, a first transfer robot configured to take the cable out of the box fed by the first feed robot and insert the cable into a pallet, and a scanner placed in a path of one of the first feed robot, the first transfer robot, and the box, the scanner being configured to acquire information about the cable.

A gripping device for gripping and spinning a pipe body of various diameters includes a gripping assembly having a pair of gripping arms for gripping the outer surface of the pipe body, and a spinning device having a pair of rollers for spinning the pipe body as it is engaged by gripping arms. The gripping device also includes a rotatable input shaft and a coupler. The coupler connects the rotatable input shaft to the gripping assembly and to the spinning device and is employed to selectively engage the gripping arms and the spinning device. A brake is provided so as to selectively prevent at least one of the gripping assembly and the spinning device from being operated upon rotating the rotatable input shaft.

A hand intended to equip a humanoid robot, the hand includes a palm and at least one finger extending along a first axis, the hand being capable of picking up an object, the finger comprising a first phalanx linked to the palm by a first motorized pivot link and a second phalanx consecutive to the first phalanx linked to the first phalanx by a second pivot link. The finger comprises a first mechanism linking the palm to the second phalanx configured such that the rotation of the first phalanx about the second axis causes the second phalanx to rotate about the third axis, and a second mechanism linking the palm to each of the phalanges configured to actuate the finger in such a way that the finger wraps around the object to be picked up, and the second mechanism is configured to deform the first mechanism.

Lifting equipment for lifting a waffle slab used in a construction includes a main body bracket, a sliding member and a plurality of clamping mechanisms for clamping the waffle slab. The main body bracket has a through hole in a center thereof. The sliding member is slidably disposed in the through hole of the main body bracket. The sliding member includes an engagement member located at the top of the sliding member, a shaft portion connected to the bottom of the engagement member and slidably disposed in the through hole of the main body bracket, a sleeve fitted to an outer circumference of the shaft portion, and a flange fixed to the bottom of the shaft portion for preventing the sleeve from moving downward.

Example systems and methods are described that are capable of gripping objects. In one implementation, a system includes a first finger that includes a plurality of teeth and a second finger that is mechanically coupled to the first finger and includes a plurality of teeth. The first finger and the second finger are configured to move apart when the first finger and the second finger are moved in a first direction against an object. The first finger and second finger are further configured to grip the object when the first finger and the second finger are moved in a second direction that is substantially opposite to the first direction.

A method is provided that includes controlling a robotic gripping device to cause a plurality of digits of the robotic gripping device to move towards each other in an attempt to grasp an object. The method also includes receiving, from at least one non-contact sensor on the robotic gripping device, first sensor data indicative of a region between the plurality of digits of the robotic gripping device. The method further includes receiving, from the at least one non-contact sensor on the robotic gripping device, second sensor data indicative of the region between the plurality of digits of the robotic gripping device, where the second sensor data is based on a different sensing modality than the first sensor data. The method additionally includes determining, using an object-in-hand classifier that takes as input the first sensor data and the second sensor data, a result of the attempt to grasp the object.

The present invention provides an underactuated mechanical finger capable of linear motion with compensatory displacement, a mechanical gripper and a robot containing such finger. The proximal phalanx of the finger includes a cam fixed on a linkage. Upon actuation, the linkage rotates the cam, which then drives a cam follower, which then drives an extensible part in the distal phalanx to extend the length of the finger, and therefore compensate the finger's height loss that would otherwise occur in the absence of the extensible part.

A robotic system includes an end effector with one or more fin grippers that have one or more vacuum ports. The fin grippers are made of elastic material. The fin grippers each include contact and exterior flanges joined together with a series of crossbeams. The crossbeams each define a tube opening to form a tube guide channel between the contact and exterior flanges. In one form, the vacuum ports are located at fingertip ends of the fin grippers, and the vacuum ports include vacuum cups.