A robotic end effector is disclosed. The end effector is configured to grasp, move, and place one or more objects without assistance from another robot. The end effector includes a lateral member configured to be attached to a robotic arm at a central portion of the lateral member, a passive side member fixedly mounted to the lateral member at a first distal end and configured to engage mechanically with a first recess on a first side of an object to be grasped, and an active side member hinged to the lateral member at a second distal end opposite the first distal end and configured to engage mechanically with a second recess on a second side of the object to be grasped, the second side being opposite the first side of the object to be grasped. The passive side member and the active side member each include a structure, and the structure on the passive side member and the active side member have different profiles.

The present disclosure relates to protecting fragile members of robots from damage during fall events. In response to detecting a fall event, a fragile member of a robot can be actuated to a defensive configuration to avoid or reduce damage. An actuatable protective member can be actuated to protect a fragile member to avoid or reduce damage to the fragile member. Actuatable protective members can be dedicated protective members, or can be other members of the robot which serve different functionality outside of a fall event but act as a protective member during a fall event.

An article gripping device including a pair of jaws including at least one movable jaw. The jaws of the pair of jaws are movable relative to each other between a first position for gripping an article and a second position associated with release of the article. The at least one movable jaw has at least two forms of actuation to achieve the first position and the second position.

A gripper having a frame and a finger with a first distal phalanx and a second proximal phalanx articulated on about a first axis. The first phalanx and the second phalanx connected to enable a rotation of the first phalanx about a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis, such that the finger can pass from an opening configuration to a clamping configuration, when the first phalanx and/or the second phalanx performs a rotation in a first direction relative to the frame. The finger having a controllable adhesion element.

The present disclosure relates to protecting fragile members of robots from damage during fall events. In response to detecting a fall event, a fragile member of a robot can be actuated to a defensive configuration to avoid or reduce damage. An actuatable protective member can be actuated to protect a fragile member to avoid or reduce damage to the fragile member. Actuatable protective members can be dedicated protective members, or can be other members of the robot which serve different functionality outside of a fall event but act as a protective member during a fall event.

A robotic tire mounter for mounting a tire to a wheel is disclosed. The robotic tire mounted comprises a robotic arm and a gripping unit. The gripping unit further comprises a plurality of gripping fingers that are selectively moveable between a releasing position and a gripping position. When in the gripping fingers are in the releasing position, the gripping fingers are positioned adjacent one another adjacent a center of the gripping unit. A method of mounting a tire to a wheel using a robotic tire mounter is also disclosed.

An end-effector is disclosed for handling a substrate, comprising: a base; a clamping body comprising an actuator configured to switch between a first position, wherein the substrate is fixed in position with respect to the clamping body, and a second position, wherein the substrate is released; a guidance mechanism connecting the clamping body to the base while allowing freedom of movement of the clamping body relative to the base within a predetermined range of motion; and a fixation mechanism for switching a connection between the clamping body and the base between a fixed position, wherein the clamping body is fixated relative to the base, and a free position, wherein the clamping body can move relative to the base.

An end-effector may include a base, a plurality of underactuated fingers coupled to the base; and an adhesion gripper coupled to the base. An end-effector may include a base, an actuator, a first underactuated finger comprising a proximal link and a distal link, the proximal link including a distal end, a guide for a first tendon spaced a first distance away from the distal end of the proximal link and the distal link including a lever arm disposed on a proximal side to the distal pad and which extends in a volar direction from a first axis, and a node disposed on the lever arm sized and shaped to receive a first tendon. The end-effector may include a first revolute joint compliant in a first direction disposed between the base and the proximal link; and a second revolute joint compliant in the first direction disposed between the proximal link and the distal link.

An end effector for supporting a wafer is disclosed. The end effector comprises a main body, a vacuum line formed in the main body, a first support arranged for contacting an inner area of a wafer, at least one opening within a boundary of the first support in communication with the vacuum line, and at least one second support arranged for contacting an outer edge of a wafer.

The present invention relates to a mechanical grapple for high pressure processing containers and method for handling high pressure processing containers using said mechanical grapple intended to be adapted to an industrial robot, the grip object of the invention comprising a support structure, a control unit, a gripping mechanism and an opening mechanism that receive commands from said control unit so that the HPP container is immobilised through the use of closures by the gripping mechanism that embrace the HPP container, said container being transferable and combined with the action of removing the lid from the container in a coordinated manner through the use of fastening elements that are part of the opening mechanism.