Systems and a method for determining a sequence of kinematic chains of a multiple robot along a sequence of locations. Inputs on the locations to be reached by a robot tool are received. Each chain is considered separately by setting one chain in use and determining, for each chain in use, available configurations for each location. The available configurations are represented as nodes of a graph representing available robotic paths for reaching with a tool the locations, while allowing the switching among different chains within the same robotic path. Valid connectors are determined by simulating collision free robot trajectories while taking into account working modality constraints of the locations. Weight factors are assigned to connectors to represent robot efforts in moving between subsequent configurations. The shortest robotic path among valid paths is determined by taking into account the weight factors. The sequence of chains is determined from the shortest path.

Systems and a method for determining a sequence of kinematic chains of a multiple robot along a sequence of locations. Inputs on the locations to be reached by a robot tool are received. Each chain is considered separately by setting one chain in use and determining, for each chain in use, available configurations for each location. The available configurations are represented as nodes of a graph representing available robotic paths for reaching with a tool the locations, while allowing the switching among different chains within the same robotic path. Valid connectors are determined by simulating collision free robot trajectories while taking into account working modality constraints of the locations. Weight factors are assigned to connectors to represent robot efforts in moving between subsequent configurations. The shortest robotic path among valid paths is determined by taking into account the weight factors. The sequence of chains is determined from the shortest path.

An assembly system for inserting a terminal into a housing comprises a parallel robot mechanism, a serial robot mechanism, and an insertion mechanism. The parallel robot mechanism has a support platform on which the housing is held and a plurality of joints. The serial robot mechanism has an end effector connected to the support platform and is adapted to drive the parallel robot mechanism to move. The insertion mechanism is configured to insert the terminal into the housing. The parallel robot mechanism is moved by the serial robot mechanism to an insertion position in which an insertion hole of the housing is aligned with the terminal prior to the insertion mechanism inserting the terminal into the housing. At least a portion of the plurality of joints are locked while the insertion mechanism inserts the terminal into the housing to keep the parallel robot mechanism and the support platform stationary.

Robotics platforms in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can be utilized to implement highly dexterous robots capable of whole body motion. Robotics platforms in accordance with one embodiment of the invention include: a memory containing a whole body motion application; a spine, where the spine has seven degrees of freedom and comprises a spine actuator and three spine elbow joints that each include two spine joint actuators; at least one limb, where the at least one limb comprises a limb actuator and three limb elbow joints that each include two limb joint actuators; a tracked base; a connecting structure that connects the at least one limb to the spine; a second connecting structure that connects the spine to the tracked base; wherein the processor is configured by the whole body motion application to move the at least one limb and the spine to perform whole body motion.