A modular robotic kitchen system is conveniently adaptable to perform a wide range of cooking applications. The modular robotic kitchen system can include a plurality of discrete modular units organized in a small footprint such that multiple types of cooking applications can be performed without a need to replace the modular units. Exemplary modular units include an ingredient module, robotic arm module, assembly and packaging module, and warming module. Optionally a transport unit or sled moves the modules into position. The modular kitchen system includes a central processor operable to carry out different cooking applications upon downloading software corresponding to the specific cooking application and without retooling the existing modules. Related methods are also described.

A control device 1B includes a preprocessor 21B, a translator 22B and an intention detector 23B. The preprocessor 21B is configured to generate movement signals of a target human 10C subjected to assistance by processing a detection signal Sd outputted by a first sensor which senses the target human 10C. The translator 21B is configured to identify a gesture of the target human 10C by use of the movement signals Sd, the gesture being expressed by a pose and/or movement of the target human 10C. The intention detector 23B is configured to detect an intention of the target human 10C based on history of an event and the identified gesture, the event relating to the assistance.

A robot hand module includes a thumb module and a finger module each coupled to a palm part, wherein the thumb module or the finger module includes a phalangeal part movably coupled to the palm part and a cable part and a driving part each connected to the phalangeal part, wherein the driving part includes a driving part body extending in one direction and including a rotary shaft configured to rotate by receiving power, a drum member coupled to one side of the driving part body, connected to the rotary shaft, and having an outer periphery surrounded by the cable part, and a tensioner member spaced apart from the drum member in a direction in which the cable part extends outward, wherein the tensioner member is movable in the direction in which the cable part extends to adjust tension of the cable part.

A robot hand module includes a thumb module, a plurality of finger modules, and a palm part to which the thumb module and the finger modules are coupled. The thumb module and the finger modules each include a phalangeal part movably coupled to the palm part, a cable part having a first side connected to the phalangeal part, and a driving part connected to a second side of the cable part and configured to operate the phalangeal part by extending the cable part to the outside or retracting the cable part, wherein each of the driving parts includes an inlet region from which the cable part is extended to the outside, and wherein an acute angle is defined between a first direction in which the inlet region is directed toward the outside and a second direction in which the driving parts are disposed.

A robot hand module includes a finger phalangeal part movably coupled to a palm part, a finger cable part having a first side connected to the finger phalangeal part, and a finger driving part connected to a second side of the finger cable part for operating the finger phalangeal part by extending the finger cable part to the outside or retracting the finger cable part, wherein the finger phalangeal part includes finger link pails including a plurality of link members and a finger link driving part for transmitting power to the finger link parts in a rectilinear direction, and wherein when the finger link pails receive the power from the finger link driving part in the rectilinear direction, some of the link members rotate relative to remaining ones of the link members, such that the finger phalangeal part rotates relative to the palm part.

A robotic post includes a processor and a memory. The robotic post may include a manipulation arm and a swiveling or otherwise movable trunk or base. One or more sensors provided on the robotic post enable the robotic post to determine the position and location of a piece of luggage. The processor, based on the sensor input, causes the robotic post to rotate, tilt or move toward the luggage to orient and secure a hook or gripper onto the handle of the luggage. The post may move, under control of the processor, to another location. When presented with authorization by a user, the luggage is released at the second location.

The present disclosure provides a prompt method and system for building a modular apparatus. The method comprises: S1: obtaining configuration information of a target modular apparatus which comprises M unit-modules connected to each other by a docking part; S2: obtaining configuration information of a currently constructed entity which comprises N unit-modules connected to each other by a docking part, N being less than M; S3: calculating at least a position of the docking part where the (N+1).sup.th unit-module should be connected to the constructed entity; and S4: sending out prompt information according to at least the position of the docking part where the (N+1).sup.th unit-module should be connected to the constructed entity calculated in step S3, so as to prompt at least the position of the docking part where the (N+1).sup.th unit-module should be connected.

The present disclosure provides a prompt method and system for building a modular apparatus. The method comprises: S1: obtaining configuration information of a target modular apparatus which comprises M unit-modules connected to each other by a docking part; S2: obtaining configuration information of a currently constructed entity which comprises N unit-modules connected to each other by a docking part, N being less than M; S3: calculating at least a position of the docking part where the (N+1).sup.th unit-module should be connected to the constructed entity; and S4: sending out prompt information according to at least the position of the docking part where the (N+1).sup.th unit-module should be connected to the constructed entity calculated in step S3, so as to prompt at least the position of the docking part where the (N+1).sup.th unit-module should be connected.

An attaching mechanism includes a fastening member, a first member, a second member including an insertion portion through which the fastening member passes, and a third member configured to enable the fastening member to pass through the insertion portion when the third member is located at a first position, and engage with the fastening member and disable the fastening member from passing through the insertion portion when the third member is located at a second position. When the third member is located at the second position, and the fastening member is moved toward a predetermined direction, the third member is pressed by the fastening member toward the predetermined direction, and the second member is attached to the first member.

An attaching mechanism includes a fastening member, a first member, a second member including an insertion portion through which the fastening member passes, and a third member configured to enable the fastening member to pass through the insertion portion when the third member is located at a first position, and engage with the fastening member and disable the fastening member from passing through the insertion portion when the third member is located at a second position. When the third member is located at the second position, and the fastening member is moved toward a predetermined direction, the third member is pressed by the fastening member toward the predetermined direction, and the second member is attached to the first member.