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 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.

An articulated finger. The articulated finger comprises a first phalange; a second phalange; a self-locking joint coupling the first phalange to the second phalange, wherein the self-locking joint is configured to allow motion in a first rotational direction of the first phalange relative to the second phalange and prevent motion in a second rotational direction of the first phalange relative to the second phalange, wherein the first rotational direction is opposite the second rotational direction; and a compliant actuator configured to actuate the first phalange in the first rotational direction relative to the second phalange.

A robot system includes a robotic arm having a wrist in a tip-end part thereof, the wrist being rotatable on a rotational axis extending in a given direction, an end effector attached to the wrist, and a deformation detecting device configured to detect deformation of the end effector by using a target pin having a target part where a given detection part of the end effector reaches. The target part has an indicate function to indicate that the detection part reaches the target part. The deformation detecting device includes a search part configured to control the robotic arm so that the detection part touches the target pin to search for the target part, and detect that the detection part reaches the target part based on the indicate function, and a deformation detecting part configured to compare an assumed position of the detection part when the detection part reaches the target part with a given reference position, and detect the deformation of the end effector.

The present invention relates to a gripper system comprising fingers. The gripper fingers are connectable to a gripper arm. The gripper fingers comprise a roller configured to spin around its central axis or a ball element rotatable in any direction; a stopper configured to stop and/or prevent the spinning of the roller or ball. The present invention also relates to a method for grasping and displacing an object.

A gripper includes a first finger part and a second finger part. The first finger part has a first finger main body part having an opening, and a first fingertip part for contacting a target object to be gripped. The second finger part has a second finger main body part and a second fingertip part for contacting the target object. The first fingertip part and the second fingertip part pinch the target object by moving closer to each other. Further, the second finger part enters the inside of the opening, so that the first finger main body part and the second finger main body part grasp the target object.

A universal gripper includes a set of pivoting fingers on pins mounted uniformly around a fixed ring. The fingers attached by springs to a movable ring are able to rotate inward, toward the center, until they meet an object and stop. Multiple universal grippers could be stacked to allow for different contours throughout objects and facilitate the pivoting fingers conforming and wrapping around a centerline of the objects. Once the universal gripper fingers are in contact with the surface of the object, they stop moving and springs attached to the fingers elongate as the movable ring continues to move over its full range of motion. An alignment tool can be used for staging and acquiring objects in a repeatable and consistent manner.

A universal gripper includes a set of pivoting fingers on pins mounted uniformly around a fixed ring. The fingers attached by springs to a movable ring are able to rotate inward, toward the center, until they meet an object and stop. Multiple universal grippers could be stacked to allow for different contours throughout objects and facilitate the pivoting fingers conforming and wrapping around a centerline of the objects. Once the universal gripper fingers are in contact with the surface of the object, they stop moving and springs attached to the fingers elongate as the movable ring continues to move over its full range of motion. An alignment tool can be used for staging and acquiring objects in a repeatable and consistent manner.

A case packing system for loading articles into containers includes an article conveyor for conveying articles, a case conveyor for conveying containers, and first, second, and third bins. A first robotic mechanism moves articles on the article conveyor to the first, second, and third bins. A second robotic mechanism moves articles from the first, second, and third bins to containers on the case conveyor. A controller operatively coupled to the first robotic mechanism and the second robotic mechanism is configured to pick and place with the first robotic mechanism one or more conveyed articles into the first, second, and third bins, and grab and load with the second robotic mechanism one or more articles from the first, second, and third bins into containers on the case conveyor.

A system and method for providing meal order, preparation and delivery service includes an order receiving unit for receiving an order for a meal selected from a plurality of offered meals of different types, a meal storage and preservation unit for storing and preserving the meal before preparation, a meal preparation unit for preparing the meal, and an output part for outputting the meal prepared with the meal preparation unit. A container for containing the meal therein is configured such that the meal can be stored, preserved, prepared and dispensed by the meal storage and preservation unit, the meal preparation unit, the output part, respectively, while the meal is contained in the container. A robotic device includes a manipulator for moving the container is arranged so each of the meal storage and preservation unit, the meal preparation unit and the output part are within the operating range of the manipulator.