A vibration suppression system includes a ground manipulator, a flexible bar structure connected to an end of the ground manipulator, and at least one vibration suppression device configured to be distributedly arranged to be attached/detached to/from the flexible bar structure and configured to be controlled to reduce vibration and deflection occurring in the flexible bar structure by dispersing a load applied to the flexible bar structure due to movement or disturbance of the ground manipulator.

Systems and methods for manipulating deformable objects using air are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for manipulating a deformable object, the system includes a first robot arm having a first gripper, a second robot arm having a second gripper, a blower robot arm having an air pump, and one or more processors programmed to control the first robot arm and the second robot arm to grasp the deformable object using the first gripper and the second gripper, respectively, and to control the blower robot arm to perform a plurality of blowing actions onto the deformable object until an objective is satisfied.

Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously separating a mass of clean laundry into single articles for folding and/or packing include autonomous separating device. The device includes a platform including a plurality of sequential work volumes and a stationary floor extending between an inlet end and an outlet end of the platform, a plurality of arms disposed in series along the platform for rotating, tilting, extending, and retracting a terminal gripper of each arm into an associated work volume for grabbing at least one of a plurality of laundry articles and passing the at least one laundry article to an adjacent work volume for grasping and hoisting by an adjacent arm. The device includes a bin, platform, conveyor and/or repositioning robot adjacent the outlet end for receiving each single article one at a time as each separate article passes beyond the outlet end.

Disclosed is a method of positioning a limp flat workpiece is described, wherein the flat workpiece is provided in a random state on a manipulation surface. Subsequently, a camera image showing the flat workpiece is generated, and a grippable edge of the flat workpiece is identified by extracting characteristic image features of the camera image. Thereafter, a first gripping point for a first gripper and a second gripping point for a second gripper are determined, the second gripping point being spaced apart from the first gripping point. Also disclosed is positioning device for positioning a limp flat workpiece is presented.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for handling and manipulating packages in automated or semi-automated fashion and packages adapted for the same. The systems may include package-holding devices, package-manipulating devices, and package-detection components for locating packages or portions thereof in a three-dimensional space. The packages may include features that enable automated or semi-automated handling and manipulation thereof, such as different types of opening/closing mechanisms with different geometric structures that allow for holding, shifting, and manipulating the packages and/or portions thereof with the package-manipulating devices. The packages additionally or alternatively may include mechanical fasteners, magnets, and/or spring-biased opening/closing mechanisms for keeping the packages closed prior to manipulation thereof. Such packages and systems may be used in a logistics network to the increase speed, accuracy, and efficiency of processing packages having, at least in part, a non-fixed geometry.

An object of the present invention is to provide an assembly manufacturing device and an assembly manufacturing method capable of reducing error when the actual position of a long member is detected, and precisely setting a reference point and a coordinates system. The long member assembly apparatus provides a plurality of hand parts for gripping a long member, a touch plate for securing the first end of the long member and restricting the movement of the long member in the longitudinal direction, a laser tracker for detecting the installation position of the touch plate, and a reference determining part for determining reference coordinates or reference point to be used in for adjusting the position of the hand parts, based on the installation position of the touch plate detected by the laser tracker.

A method for manipulating a deformable object includes determining respective 3D position of one or more markers on the deformable object held by a robotic manipulator; determining a deformation model of the deformable object by mapping movement of the robotic manipulator and movement of one or more markers; and controlling the robotic manipulator based on the determined deformation model to manipulate the deformable object so as to move the one or more markers into respective target position.

A vibration suppression system includes a ground manipulator, a flexible bar structure connected to an end of the ground manipulator, and at least one vibration suppression device configured to be distributedly arranged to be attached/detached to/from the flexible bar structure and configured to be controlled to reduce vibration and deflection occurring in the flexible bar structure by dispersing a load applied to the flexible bar structure due to movement or disturbance of the ground manipulator.

A robot apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a first robot and a second robot. The first robot includes a first hand section and a first control section. The first hand section is configured to be capable of holding one part of a work. The first control section is configured to be capable of controlling the first hand section and generating a reference signal including information about an action of the first hand section. The second robot includes a second hand section and a second control section. The second hand section is configured to be capable of holding another part of the work. The second control section is configured to be capable of selectively executing a first control mode that controls the second hand section and a second control mode that controls the second hand section by cooperating with the first hand section on the basis of the reference signal.

In order to hold a long member without using a fixing jig and without deforming the long member in holding the long member, a long member assembling device is provided with: multiple hand parts for gripping a long member; and arm parts and trunk parts for moving the hand parts to adjust the positions of the hand parts gripping the long member. The hand parts have a configuration such that, when the positions thereof are adjusted by the arm parts and the trunk parts, the hand parts are capable of moving in the longitudinal direction of the long member while gripping the long member.