According to one embodiment, a robot hand grips an object. The robot hand includes first and second communicators, and a hand controller. The first communicator communicates grip data with a first device. The grip data is related to a gripping operation. The second communicator communicates a start notification and an end notification with a second device. The second communicator can communicate faster than the first communicator. The start notification is for starting the gripping operation. The end notification indicates an end of the gripping operation. The hand controller controls the gripping operation. In response to the start notification input to the second communicator, the hand controller starts the gripping operation. In response to the end of the gripping operation, the hand controller performs outputting the end notification, and outputting at least one of a result of the gripping operation or a state of the robot hand.

A gripping method relates to a method for gripping an object using a multi-fingered hand provided with a plurality of fingers. The method includes measuring, using a three-dimensional measurement sensor, an area that contains the object, and obtaining three-dimensional information for each position within the area, and deciding positions of the plurality of fingers for gripping the object, by classifying the area, if the area includes a measured area for which the three-dimensional information could be obtained and an unmeasured area for which the three-dimensional information could not be obtained, into the measured area and the unmeasured area based on the distance-indicating information, the positions of the plurality of fingers being decided based on positions of the unmeasured area.

A method includes steps of: capturing an image of a container; recognizing at least one object in the container based on the image; determining at least one first coordinate set corresponding to the at least one object; determining at least one second coordinate set that corresponds to target one (s) of the at least one first coordinate set and that relates to a fixed picking device of a robotic arm; adjusting position(s) of unfixed picking device(s) of the robotic arm if necessary; controlling the robotic arm to pick up one (s) of the at least one object that correspond(s) to the at least one second coordinate set with the fixed picking device and/or at least one unfixed picking device.

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 vacuum adsorption system includes a cylinder including a cylinder block, a piston, and a piston rod mounted in the cylinder block, and a vacuum pressure control device controlling a vacuum pressure in an inner cavity of the cylinder block. The piston rod has a vacuum suction hole communicating with the inner cavity. The vacuum pressure in the inner cavity is controlled so that a contact force applied by the piston rod on an object adsorbed by the vacuum suction hole of the piston rod is less than or equal to a predetermined contact force.

A wafer jig according to an embodiment may be used for a robot having a hand including a light emitting part and a light receiving part. The light receiving part detects detection light emitted from the light emitting part. The wafer jig includes a light source for emitting the notification light toward the light receiving part. The wafer jig outputs information to a hand side by emitting the notification light from the light source to the light receiving part.

System for automatically manipulating primary packaging in secondary packaging, comprising a robot having at least one robot arm with a clamping gripper installed at a tool centre point, wherein each tool centre point has a force-torque sensor, an image recording module for recording images of at least the upper segment of the primary packaging, comprising at least two stereo cameras for recording 3-D images, and one or more processors for providing a three-dimensional point cloud, controlling the image recording module and controlling the robot on the basis of the analysis of the three-dimensional point cloud and the measurements from the force-torque sensors.

A positioning system is provided for insertions and placements with increased accuracy and precision for the placement and insertion of components into elements. The system may utilize one or more sensors to provide individual images or data for each individual insertion of components into elements. The system may use known information to compare the individual images or data to provide increased accuracy and precision for insertion of components into elements.

A method for identifying objects by shape in close proximity to other objects of different shapes obtains point cloud information of multiple objects. The objects are arranged in at least two trays and the trays are stacked. A depth image of the objects is obtained according to the point cloud information, and the depth image of the objects is separated and layered to obtain a layer information of all the objects. An object identification system also disclosed. Three-dimensional machine vision is utilized in identifying the objects, improving the accuracy of object identification, and enabling the mechanical arm to accurately grasp the required object.

Routines and methods disclosed herein can increase a power efficiency of a prosthetic hand without drastically reducing the speed at which it operates. A prosthesis can implement an acceleration profile, which can reduce an energy consumption of a motor, or an amount of electrical and/or mechanical noise produced by a motor, as the motor transitions from an idle state to a non-idle state. A prosthesis can implement a deceleration profile, which can reduce the energy consumption of the motor, or an amount of electrical and/or mechanical noise produced by a motor, as the motor transitions from a non-idle state to an idle state.