A robotic system includes a robot having a picking arm to grasp an inventory item and a shuttle. The shuttle includes a platform adapted to receive the inventory item from the picking arm of the robot. The platform is moveable between a pick-up location located substantially adjacent to the robot and an end location spaced a distance apart from the pick-up location. The system improves efficiency as transportation of the item from the pick-up location to the end location is divided between the robot and the shuttle.

A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.

A gripper arm for a gripping device for gripping, holding and guiding in particular bottle-like containers includes a base body, a gripping section as well as at least one actuating roller arranged on the base body and rotatably mounted for interacting with a control cam of the gripping device. The at least one actuating roller is arranged on the base body so as to be replaceable.

A transfer apparatus includes first and second holding portions, a hand, a hand moving portion, and fluid pressure driving and control units. The control unit acquires an inter-holding portion distance between the first and second holding portions for holding a workpiece. The control unit makes the hand moving portion move the hand to a predetermined position such that the distance between the first and second holding portions becomes the inter-holding portion distance when the first holding portion moved by the fluid pressure driving unit is brought into contact with a contact portion provided at a work field, the predetermined position being located away from the contact portion. With the hand located at the predetermined position, the control unit makes the fluid pressure driving unit move the first holding portion to contact with the contact portion, and the control unit stops driving of the fluid pressure driving unit.

A vehicle system provided according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a power transmitter and a vehicle. The power transmitter is placed at one of at least one charge position. The vehicle includes: a power receiver, a capacitor, and a motor. The power receiver wirelessly receives first electric power from the power transmitter, and outputs second electric power deriving from the first electric power. The capacitor stores the second electric power output by the power receiver such that the capacitor is charged from a first voltage Vc1 to a second voltage Vc2. The motor is driven by the second electric power from the capacitor. The vehicle automatically travels a distance Dx along a route from one to a next one of the at least one charge position on the route. The distance Dx satisfies a certain relationship.

An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a discontinuous plurality of track sections on which an automated carrier may be directed to move, and the automated carrier includes a base structure on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.

An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a discontinuous plurality of track sections on which an automated carrier may be directed to move, and the automated carrier includes a base structure on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.

A robotic system having a movable gantry robot (10) for conducting construction operations. The gantry may have an expandable bridge (20) and articulated gantry support legs (34) as well as a support track system (60) holding a gantry robot (800) which may hold one or more implements and peripheral devices (806). The device can be moved by propulsion mechanisms, a controller, and one or more geo-positioned control devices to provide position information for the robotic gantry as it moves back and forth along a plurality of work sites (700). The robotic gantry is connected to a power supply system (236). The controller is automated, self-navigating, and activates, deactivates, and/or changes the operation of the propulsion mechanisms, and deploys, retracts, activates, deactivates, and/or changes the operation of one or more of the construction implements. The height of the frame may be adjusted by extending and rotating risers and booms to accommodate different building heights or sub-level heights at a worksite. A conveyor system is optimized for removing dirt from or delivering material to the robotic arm. This invention can be applied to automating construction jobs including surveying, land preparation, excavation, foundation, masonry, framing, and additive fabrication.

A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.

Systems and methods to manipulate stacks of silicon wafers and rings are described. In one aspect, a robotic actuator includes a robotic end effector that further a first surface having multiple attached wafer suction cups arranged to collectively grasp a silicon wafer. The robotic end effector also includes a second surface that further includes multiple attached ring suction cups arranged to collectively grasp a ring. The second surface also includes a bulk grabber positionable to grasp a collective stack of rings. The robotic actuator also includes an axial actuator configured to rotate the robotic end effector about a flip axis, such that either the first surface or the second surface faces vertically upwards.