In an embodiment, a method and system use various sensors to determine a shape of a collection of materials (e.g., foodstuffs). A controller can determine a trajectory which achieves the desired end-state, possibly chosen from a set of feasible, collision-free trajectories to execute, and a robot executes that trajectory. The robot, executing that trajectory, scoops, grabs, or otherwise acquires the desired amount of material from the collection of materials at a desired location. The robot then deposits the collected material in the desired receptacle at a specific location and orientation.

A robot system includes a robot main body, a plurality of first control devices provided in the robot main body, and a detection unit configured to detect a state of the robot main body. In a case where one of the plurality of first control devices determines that the robot main body is in a predetermined state based on a detection result of the detection unit, the one of the plurality of first control devices outputs information indicating that the robot main body is in the predetermined state to another one of the plurality of first control devices other than the one of the plurality of first control devices.

Systems and methods for detecting pose and force against an object are provided. A method includes receiving a signal from a deformable sensor comprising data from a deformation region in a deformable membrane resulting from contact with the object utilizing an internal sensor disposed within an enclosure and having a field of view directed through a medium and toward a bottom surface of the deformable membrane. The method also determines a pose of the object based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane. The method also determines an amount of force applied between the deformable membrane and the object is determined based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane.

A method of operating a robot manipulator, the method including: specifying a maximum permissible force to be exerted on an object by the robot manipulator, specifying a target position of a reference point of the robot manipulator, determining a current position of the reference point, performing an impedance regulation, which determines a current reference force of an artificial spring component based on a spring stiffness and based on a difference between the current position and the target position of the reference point of the robot manipulator, and controlling the robot manipulator to execute an emergency control program if the current reference force exceeds the maximum permissible force.

In an embodiment, a method for handling an order includes determining a plurality of ingredients based on an order, received from a user over a network, for a location having a plurality of robots. The method further includes planning at least one trajectory for at least one robot based on the plurality of ingredients and utensils available at the location, and proximity of each ingredient and utensil to the at least one robot. Each trajectory can be configured to move one of the plurality of ingredients into a container associated with the order. In an embodiment, the method includes executing the at least one trajectory by the at least one robot to fulfill the order. In an embodiment, the method includes moving the container to a pickup area.

A method and system of robotic arm safety detection based on EtherCAT automation are provided. The method includes: issuing a control data through the protocol module to control the robotic arm to complete an automation operation process by the control system module, and receiving joint data fed back in real-time of the sensor module; acquiring a real-time data of the robotic arm by the data capture module; wherein the real-time data includes protocol data and joint data; the joint data is acquired by the data capture module through the sensor module; performing a protocol data rule matching and physical process detection by the intrusion detection module based on the real-time data, and obtaining an intrusion detection result; wherein the intrusion detection result is configured to detect whether an intrusion behavior occurs during a normal operation of the robotic arm.

A cover for an automated robot includes elastic sheets that are adhered to each other in a geometry. The geometry is configured to allow the elastic sheets to expand and contract while the automated robot moves within its range of motion. The elastic sheets are attached to the automated robot by elasticity of the elastic sheets. A first group of the elastic sheets forms an elastic collar configured to grip the automated robot at a distal end and a proximal end of the cover in a non-breakable manner such that during operation of the robot, the elastic sheets hold their elasticity and integrity without breaking.

According to one embodiment, a monitor apparatus includes a memory and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry acquires first information indicating a position and a moving direction of a target, acquires second information indicating a position of each of moving objects and sensors which are provided in the moving objects, selects at least one of a first moving object for monitoring the target from among the moving objects or a first sensor for monitoring the target from among the sensors, based on the first information and the second information, and transmits third information indicating the target and at least one of the first moving object or the first sensor.

A sensorized covering, prearranged for covering at least part of a movable structure of an automated device. The sensorized covering is useful for sensing an actual impact or anticipating an imminent impact to the automated device. The sensorized covering includes one or more covering modules wherein each covering module may include contact sensors and/or proximity sensors, a loading bearing structure and/or controls. The individual sensorized modules may be independently connected or controlled, or connected together and collectively controlled. Examples of the automated device my include a movable robots or an automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

A robot control apparatus includes a stop command unit which stops a robot. A first external force judgement value smaller than a stop judgement value and a second external force judgement value smaller than the first external force judgement value are previously determined. The stop command unit inhibits a restart of execution of an operation program when, in a state where the execution of the operation program is temporarily stopped, an external force is continuously equal to or less than the first external force judgement value during a period of a first time length, and additionally, the external force continuously exceeds the second external force judgement value during a period of a second time length.