Systems, devices, and methods for controlling a robot. Some methods include, in response to determining that an object enters a reachable area of the robot, triggering a first sensor to sense a movement of the object; determining first position information of the object based on data received from the first sensor; determining second position information of the object based on second data received from a second sensor; and generating a first prediction of a target position at which the object is operated by the robot. In this way, the robot can complete an operation for the object on the AGV within a limit operation time during which the AGV passes through the reachable area of the robot. Meanwhile, by collecting the sensing data from different sensor groups, a target position at which the object is handled by the robot may be predicted more accurately.

A robot task system includes: a robot; a transfer device configured to be driven to transfer a plurality of workpieces thereon by a specific distance at a time, the plurality of workpieces being placed within the specific distance; a driving management unit configured to manage a driving distance and a driving start timing of the transfer device for driving the transfer device each time; a task position generation unit configured to generate a plurality of task positions at the driving start timing managed by the driving management unit, the plurality of task positions being positions for the robot to execute a predetermined task on the plurality of workpieces; a task unit configured to update, according to the driving of the transfer device, the plurality of task positions generated by the task position generation unit and generate a task command to cause the robot to execute the predetermined task on the plurality of workpieces while following the plurality of workpieces; and a control unit configured to control the transfer device based on the driving distance and the driving start timing of the transfer device, and control the robot based on the task command generated by the task unit.

A method includes: (a) causing a robotic arm to position a contacting structure of the arm laterally in a horizontal direction in relation to a first subject on a target object; (b) causing the arrn to bring the contacting structure into contact with at least three locations on the first subject; (c) detecting positions of the contacting structure in relation to the robot when contacting the locations; (d) detecting a position of the first subject in relation to the robot by using the detected positions of the contacting structure; (e) performing same steps as the steps (a) to (d) for a second subject on the target object; and (f) detecting a position of the robot in relation to the target object by using the positions of the subjects in relation to the robot and using positions of the subjects in relation to the target object.

A system and method for estimating aspects of target objects and/or associated task implementations is disclosed.

An adaptive robot grasp planning technique for bin picking. Workpieces in a bin having random positions and poses are to be grasped by a robot and placed in a goal position and pose. The workpiece shape is analyzed to identify a plurality of robust grasp options, each grasp option having a position and orientation. The workpiece shape is also analyzed to determine a plurality of stable intermediate poses. Each individual workpiece in the bin is evaluated to identity a set of feasible grasps, and the workpiece is moved to the goal pose if such direct movement is possible. If direct movement is not possible, a search problem is formulated, where each stable intermediate pose is a node. The search problem is solved by evaluating the feasibility and optimality of each link between nodes. Feasibility of each link is evaluated in terms of collision avoidance constraints and robot joint motion constraints.

The vehicle body assembly station comprises main transport assembly for conveying a vehicle body along a first direction D1 in which at least one assembly robot is provided to move along a second direction D2, and temporary transport assembly whose operation is more accurate than that of the main transport assembly for moving the vehicle body independently from the main transport assembly while the assembly robot is performing operations on the vehicle body, whereby a new coordinate reference system is created by the temporary transport assembly.

A system for the automated manufacture of a wiring harness, which demonstrates a branched structure made up of multiple individual conductor elements. To form wiring harnesses having an individually branched structure, the conductor elements are automatically brought into a predefined distribution structure, multiple second rails oriented in parallel to each other and multiple second transporters, distributed on the second rails, being used for this purpose. The second transporters are each fitted with one wire end of the conductor elements. To form the distribution structure, the second rails are subsequently moved in a vertical direction, and the second transporters are moved along the second rail. In this spread-apart structure, additional processing steps are carried out, for example a fixing of the conductor elements to each other.

A method for automatically transferring spouted pouches provides a simple, efficient approach for automatically loading spouted pouches from a container to a belt conveyor. And, an automatic pouch transferring assembly is also provided.

A carrying device includes a swivel that swivels around a central axis line of a revolution orbit that passes through a workpiece transfer area and a workpiece work area for a workpiece to be worked on by a robot, multiple workpiece holders positioned on the swivel such that when a first one of the workpiece holders is positioned in the workpiece transfer area, a second one of the workpiece holders is positioned in the workpiece work area, a revolution driver that causes the swivel to swivel around the central axis line of the revolution orbit, and a tilting driver that tilts each of the workpiece holders with respect to the central axis line of the revolution orbit.

The invention provides automated spacer processing systems and methods. The systems and methods involve at least one robot arm that is configured to process spacers for multiple-pane insulating glazing units. In some embodiments, the systems also include an insulating glazing unit assembly line and a spacer conveyor system. Additionally or alternatively, the systems may include a sealant applicator.