A method of monitoring movement of a robotic arm, the robotic arm being arranged to be moved by an actuator, the method comprising: determining an expected robotic arm condition based on a known robotic condition and a torque applied to the robotic arm by the actuator; measuring an actual robotic arm condition during movement of the arm caused by the applied torque; and determining whether a collision has occurred by comparing the actual robotic arm condition with the expected robotic arm condition and generating a collision signal if a difference between the actual robotic arm condition and the expected robotic arm condition exceeds a threshold.

Systems and methods are provided for specifying safety rules for robotic devices. A computing device can determine information about any actors present within a predetermined area of an environment. The computing device can determine a safety classification for the predetermined area based on the information. The safety classification can include: a low safety classification if the information indicates zero actors are present within the predetermined area, a medium safety classification if the information indicates any actors are present within the predetermined area all are of a predetermined first type, and a high safety classification if the information indicates at least one actor present within the predetermined area is of a predetermined second type. After determining the safety classification for the predetermined area, the computing device can provide a safety rule for operating within the predetermined area to a robotic device operating in the environment.

Systems and methods are provided for specifying safety rules for robotic devices. A computing device can determine information about any actors present within a predetermined area of an environment. The computing device can determine a safety classification for the predetermined area based on the information. The safety classification can include: a low safety classification if the information indicates zero actors are present within the predetermined area, a medium safety classification if the information indicates any actors are present within the predetermined area all are of a predetermined first type, and a high safety classification if the information indicates at least one actor present within the predetermined area is of a predetermined second type. After determining the safety classification for the predetermined area, the computing device can provide a safety rule for operating within the predetermined area to a robotic device operating in the environment.

A robot includes a robot body including a base, a first movable section provided turnably with respect to the base, and a second movable section provided turnably with respect to the first movable section, a first proximity sensor for detecting contact with or approach of an object to the first movable section, and a second proximity sensor for detecting contact with or approach of the object to the second movable section. The first proximity sensor includes a first electrode section having a capacitance that changes according to the contact or approach of the object, and a first circuit section for detecting the capacitance of the first electrode section. The second proximity sensor includes a second electrode section having a capacitance that changes according to the contact or approach of the object, and a second circuit section for detecting the capacitance of the second electrode section.

Systems and methods are provided for specifying safety rules for robotic devices. A computing device can determine information about any actors present within a predetermined area of an environment. The computing device can determine a safety classification for the predetermined area based on the information. The safety classification can include: a low safety classification if the information indicates zero actors are present within the predetermined area, a medium safety classification if the information indicates any actors are present within the predetermined area all are of a predetermined first type, and a high safety classification if the information indicates at least one actor present within the predetermined area is of a predetermined second type. After determining the safety classification for the predetermined area, the computing device can provide a safety rule for operating within the predetermined area to a robotic device operating in the environment.

Systems and methods are provided for specifying safety rules for robotic devices. A computing device can determine information about any actors present within a predetermined area of an environment. The computing device can determine a safety classification for the predetermined area based on the information. The safety classification can include: a low safety classification if the information indicates zero actors are present within the predetermined area, a medium safety classification if the information indicates any actors are present within the predetermined area all are of a predetermined first type, and a high safety classification if the information indicates at least one actor present within the predetermined area is of a predetermined second type. After determining the safety classification for the predetermined area, the computing device can provide a safety rule for operating within the predetermined area to a robotic device operating in the environment.

Systems and methods are provided for specifying safety rules for robotic devices. A computing device can determine information about any actors present within a predetermined area of an environment. The computing device can determine a safety classification for the predetermined area based on the information. The safety classification can include: a low safety classification if the information indicates zero actors are present within the predetermined area, a medium safety classification if the information indicates any actors are present within the predetermined area all are of a predetermined first type, and a high safety classification if the information indicates at least one actor present within the predetermined area is of a predetermined second type. After determining the safety classification for the predetermined area, the computing device can provide a safety rule for operating within the predetermined area to a robotic device operating in the environment.

Systems and methods are provided for specifying safety rules for robotic devices. A computing device can determine information about any actors present within a predetermined area of an environment. The computing device can determine a safety classification for the predetermined area based on the information. The safety classification can include: a low safety classification if the information indicates zero actors are present within the predetermined area, a medium safety classification if the information indicates any actors are present within the predetermined area all are of a predetermined first type, and a high safety classification if the information indicates at least one actor present within the predetermined area is of a predetermined second type. After determining the safety classification for the predetermined area, the computing device can provide a safety rule for operating within the predetermined area to a robotic device operating in the environment.

A control system including a selective compliance assembly robot arm (SCARA) robot is provided. The SCARA robot includes a first arm configured to be rotatable around a first rotation shaft, a second arm configured to be rotatable around a second rotation shaft arranged parallel to the first rotation shaft and provided on the first arm, and a main shaft configured to be drivable in a direction parallel to the second rotation shaft and provided on the second arm. The control system includes a setting unit providing a user interface for receiving a setting of a two-dimensional operation prohibition region with respect to a point of interest on the SCARA robot. The operation prohibition region corresponds to an area on a plane orthogonal to the main shaft. The control system includes an extension unit two-dimensionally extending the operation prohibition region through an extension in a direction of the main shaft.

The invention relates to a mobile robot having running gear and at least one robot arm mounted on the running gear, a sensor system for sensing obstacles in the surroundings of the robot and a navigation unit for laying down a route along which the running gear can be moved while avoiding the obstacles, and a control unit for the robot arm which is adapted to lay down a permissible position for the robot arm by reference to the obstacles sensed and the route.