A piezoelectric sensor includes an elastic body, a piezoelectric element which is disposed at a position where the piezoelectric element has contact with the elastic body, and which is configured to output a voltage signal when deforming in accordance with a deformation of the elastic body, and a detector configured to detect the voltage signal output from the piezoelectric element, wherein the detector detects kinetic frictional force generated between the object and the elastic body based on a variation in the voltage signal due to the relative movement of the object to the elastic body.

The present invention relates to a method for detecting slippage when gripping an object with a gripper, in which use is made of at least one acceleration sensor (5) on a gripping surface (3) of the gripper (1), a sensor signal from the acceleration sensor (5) is captured during the gripping process and filtered in order to obtain a filtered sensor signal in a first frequency range, and the filtered sensor signal or a value derived therefrom is compared with a threshold value (SW.sub.1, SW.sub.2) which, when exceeded, constitutes an indication of slippage of the object. In the method, the acceleration sensor (5) is integrated into a rigid main body (2) and the main body (2) is integrated into the gripper (1) using an elastic material (4) so as to be capable of oscillation on the gripping surface (3) such that, in the event of slippage of the object, said main body can be set in oscillation on the gripper (1) only in a plane parallel to the gripping surface (3). The first frequency range is selected such that the oscillation frequencies of the main body (2) that occur in the event of slippage are within the first frequency range. The proposed method allows simple and reliable detection of slippage.

Object manipulation in warehouses and logistics facilities is a challenging task because of the unstructured environment. The unstructured environment can have items/objects with different form factors, weight, shape, and size. Traditionally, multiple robots have been used to handle for specific task to be performed by an individual robot which requires high floor. This leads to higher cost and infrastructure. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gripper apparatus that addresses a single gripper design handling multiple parcels, wherein the apparatus consists of ‘m’ fingers parallel to each other and can be independently controlled through actuators, each finger has a force sensors feedback and also actuators which are controlled with force. Each finger comprises a linear slider for actuation for gripping objects and wherein bottom fingers are moved to provide enough gravity support. Further, apparatus comprises bellows attached to each finger end for grasping object using pneumatic grasping mechanism.

A human-like tactile perception apparatus for providing enhanced tactile information (feedback data) from an end-effector/gripper to the control circuit of an arm-type robotic system. The apparatus's base structure is attached to the gripper's finger and includes a flat/planar support plate that presses a pressure sensor array against a target object during operable interactions. The pressure sensor array generates pressure sensor data that indicates portions of the array contacted by surface features of the target object. A sensor data processing circuit generates tactile information in response to the pressure sensor data, and then transmits the tactile information to the robotic system's control circuit. An optional mezzanine connector extends through an opening in the support plate to pass pressure sensor data to the processing circuit. An encapsulating layer covers the pressure sensor array and transmits pressure waves generated by slipping objects to enhance the tactile information.

The present disclosure relates to a control device, a control method, and a program capable of supporting an object with a more appropriate supporting force. The control device includes a supporting force control unit that controls a supporting force for supporting an object on the basis of information regarding a shape of a contact portion in contact with the object and information regarding a shear force of the contact portion. The information regarding the shear force includes, for example, information regarding a shear displacement of the contact portion. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a control device, a control method, an electronic device, a robot, a support system, a gripping system, a program, and the like.

A tool control system may include: a tactile sensor configured to, when a tool holds a target object and slides the target object downward across the tool, obtain tactile sensing data from the tool; one or more memories configured to store a target velocity and computer-readable instructions; and one or more processors configured execute the computer-readable instructions to: receive the tactile sensing data from the tactile sensor; estimate a velocity of the target object based on the tactile sensing data, by using one or more neural networks that are trained based on a training image of an sample object captured while the sample object is sliding down; and generate a control parameter of the tool based on the estimated velocity and the target velocity.

A system includes a processor, a robotic arm comprising an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises a plurality of ridges, a sensor configured to detect vibrations from the plurality of ridges, and a memory module. The memory module stores machine-readable instructions that cause the processor to perform operations including contacting, with the plurality of ridges, a target object, detecting, with the sensor, vibrations from the plurality of ridges caused by a movement between the target object and the plurality of ridges, determining an attribute of the movement based on the detected signals, and adjusting the end effector based on the attribute of the movement.

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.

A plurality of sensors are configured to provide a corresponding output that reflects a sensed value associated with engagement of a robotic arm end effector with an item. The respective outputs of one or more sensors comprising the plurality of sensors are used to determine one or more inputs to a multi-modal model configured to provide, based at least in part on the one or more inputs, an output associated with slippage of the item within or from a grasp of the robotic arm end effector. A determination associated with slippage of the item within or from the grasp of the robotic arm end effector is made based at least in part on an output of the multi-modal model. A responsive action is taken based at least in part on the determination associated with slippage of the item within or from the grasp of the robotic arm end effector.

In a tactile sensing system, a sensor portion of a tactile sensor is provided at a grasping portion of a robot, and outputs plural signals respectively corresponding to plural first electrodes that face a second electrode. On the basis of all or some of the plural signals, an output section calculates respective pressure values of plural pressure detecting positions within a contacting surface of the sensor portion which contacting surface contacts a workpiece, and outputs data of a pressure distribution. Further, on the basis of all or some of the plural signals, the output section calculates one aggregate shearing force value for the entire contacting surface, and outputs data of the aggregate shearing force value.