A control system (10) includes: a manual operating device (1) that generates an operation signal in accordance with rotation of a dial (11) by an operator; a machine tool controller (4) and a robot controller (5) that are connected in such a manner as to be communicable with each other and that control a machine tool (6) and a robot (7), respectively, based on the operation signal; and an operational-target setting unit (2, 3) that sets an operational target for the manual operating device (1) selectively between the machine tool (6) and the robot (7). The manual operating device (1) is connected to one of the controllers (4, 5) and inputs the operation signal to the one of the controllers. When the operational-target setting unit (2, 3) sets the operational target as a control target (6) or (7) to be controlled by the other of the controllers (4, 5), the one of the controllers (4, 5) transmits the operation signal or a signal based on the operation signal to the other of the controllers.

A method of controlling an industrial actuator, the method including receiving a manual input in the form of a displacement of an input element; in response to the manual input being a displacement of the input element from the neutral position in a first input direction, controlling the industrial actuator to move in a forward direction along a movement path and with a speed corresponding to a magnitude or a speed of the displacement from a neutral position; and in response to the manual input being a displacement of the input element from the neutral position in a second input direction, controlling the industrial actuator to move in a backward direction along the movement path and with a speed corresponding to a magnitude or a speed of the displacement from the neutral position.

The present invention proposes a mobile robotic system capable of carrying out the movement, manipulation and precise installation of industrial loads (pipes, plates, equipment, parts, materials, etc.), using a single operator for that and presenting ease of use. The invention is basically composed of an anthropomorphic-type industrial robot (3) and a crawler mobile platform (11). The load capacity of the invention is limited by the maximum load capacity of the industrial robot employed. The precise positioning step has a special force amplification system (external exoskeleton) capable of moving a load fixed on the industrial robot wrist (position and orientation) with the force actions of an operator, directly on the robot wrist, or by means of a security extension. The robotic system can be controlled by radio control, capable of allowing both the control of the robot and the movement of the platform.

The proposed system of this invention comprises a mobile platform for all types of terrain, an industrial robotic arm, an effector for handling pipes, an effector to pick up metal plates, the respective supports of effectors in a quick tool change system, a diesel electric generator, an industrial radio control, safety sensors and a video monitor for two cameras positioned on the robot structure.

An assembly for a work machine comprises an operation lever comprising a first switch and a second switch, the first switch being activated and set for controlling the work machine and the second switch being deactivated at a point of factory shipment, a first port electrically coupled to the second switch of the operation lever, a second port coupled to a power source of the work machine, and a processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to receive a request for setting an auxiliary device to the work machine from an input device, the auxiliary device being detachably attached to the work machine after the point of factory shipment; assign the first port to the second switch of the operation lever, to control the auxiliary device; assign the second port to the auxiliary device, to supply power to the auxiliary device; and set configuration information of the auxiliary device based on input information from the input device.

A safety switch device including a device main body and a movable portion capable of moving in a predetermined moving direction. The device main body is provided with a back surface supporting portion having a supporting surface which supports a back surface of a mobile terminal, and a main-body-side holding portion which pushes one side of the mobile terminal, and the movable portion is provided with a movable-portion-side holding portion which pushes the other side of the mobile terminal, and each of the main-body-side holding portion and the movable-portion-side holding portion is provided with an inclined surface which comes into close contact with the mobile terminal, and each of the inclined surfaces inclines in a direction where the inclined surfaces get close to each other in the moving direction as being distant from the supporting surface in the direction orthogonal to the supporting surface.

This patent defines a method for making robot programming more intuitive for tasks such as welding. The method further is an enhancement of manual guiding methods of robot positioning and can improve situations in which finer resolution or control of the robot end-effector is required. A motion sensor is mounted in series with the n−1 joint and in parallel with the n.sup.th joint, where n is the number of degrees of freedom or number of joints of the serial manipulator. The motion sensor is further mounted directly in-line with the n.sup.th joint and becomes part the opposing portion of the n.sup.th joint. The motion sensor further is uniquely adapted to apply to non-spherical wrist robots. The motion sensor senses input movements by a robot operator and controls the output tool motion in a controlled manner with resolution defined by user input at the motion sensor.

A method, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and an apparatus for operating the robotic control system comprising a master apparatus (64) in communication with an input device (58, 60) having a handle (102) and a slave system (54, 74) having a tool (66, 67) having an end effector (73) whose position and orientation is determined in response to a current position and current orientation of the handle. The method involves producing a desired end effector position and orientation in response to a current position and orientation of the handle. The method involves causing the input device to provide haptic feedback that impedes translational movement of the handle, while permitting rotational movement of the handle and preventing movement of the end effector, when a rotational alignment difference between the handle and the end effector meets a disablement criterion. The method further involves re-enabling translational movement of the handle when the rotational alignment difference meets an enablement criterion.

A teaching system for a robot is provided, including a motion bar for controlling the robot and a robot system utilizing the teaching system. In one embodiment, the teaching system is provided including a first controller configured to provide motion-related control functions for controlling motion of the robot. The teaching system may also include a second controller configured to provide control functions other than the motion-related control functions for programming one or more actions of the robot.

A method of operating a robotic control system comprising a master apparatus in communication with an input device having a handle and a slave system having a tool having an end effector whose position and orientation is determined in response to a position and orientation of the handle. The method involves producing a desired end effector position and a desired end effector orientation of the end effector, in response to a current position and a current orientation of the handle. The method further involves causing the input device to provide haptic feedback that impedes translational movement of the handle, while permitting rotational movement of the handle and preventing movement of the end effector, when a rotational alignment difference between the handle and the end effector meets a first criterion. The method further involves re-enabling translational movement of the handle when the rotational alignment difference meets a second criterion.

A hand controller for enabling a user to perform an activity and method for controlling a robotic arm is provided. The hand controller includes a bar with a grip and a plurality of motors to provide a force feedback to the user in response to the movement of the plurality of mechanical arms. The method involves receiving input corresponding to the manipulation of a bar and providing a force feedback in response to the movement of the plurality of mechanical arms.