A method for controlling a robot to perform a task, for which the robot is redundant, includes specifying an adjustment of first and second axes of at least one pair of two movement axes of the robot based on a specified operating mode such that both axes can be adjusted and adjustment of the first axis is prioritized over the second axis if a first operating mode is specified. Adjustment of the second axis is prioritized over the first axis if a second operating mode is specified. Additionally or alternatively, adjustment of at least one selected movement axis is specified based on a specified operating mode such that this axis can be adjusted or is blocked independently of the task if a reduced operating mode is specified, and can be adjusted for the purpose of performing this task if an operating mode differing from this reduced operating mode is specified.

Devices, systems, and methods for reconfiguring a surgical manipulator by moving the manipulator within a null-space of a kinematic Jacobian of the manipulator arm. In one aspect, in response to receiving a reconfiguration command, the system drives a first set of joints and calculates velocities of the plurality of joints to be within a null-space. The joints are driven according to the reconfiguration command and the calculated movement so as to maintain a desired state of the end effector or a remote center about which an instrument shaft pivots. In another aspect, the joints are also driven according to a calculated end effector or remote center displacing velocities within a null-perpendicular-space of the Jacobian so as to effect the desired reconfiguration concurrently with a desired movement of the end effector or remote center.

A method for controlling a robot includes detecting current positions of joints of the robot and actuating the joints using drives of the robot based on the detected current joint positions such that at least one drive supports a manual guidance-induced movement of the joint actuated by the drive if a distance between the detected or target joint position and a specified first boundary has a first value. The drive supports the manual guidance-induced movement to a lesser degree if the distance has a second value which is lower than the first value. Additionally, the manual guidance-induced movement is oriented towards the first boundary.

A method for controlling a robot includes detecting current positions of joints of the robot and actuating the joints using drives of the robot based on the detected current joint positions such that at least one drive supports a manual guidance-induced movement of the joint actuated by the drive if a distance between the detected or target joint position and a specified first boundary has a first value. The drive supports the manual guidance-induced movement to a lesser degree if the distance has a second value which is lower than the first value. Additionally, the manual guidance-induced movement is oriented towards the first boundary.

Devices, systems, and methods for reconfiguring a surgical manipulator by moving the manipulator within a null-space of a kinematic Jacobian of the manipulator arm. In one aspect, in response to receiving a reconfiguration command, the system drives a first set of joints and calculates velocities of the plurality of joints to be within a null-space. The joints are driven according to the reconfiguration command and the calculated movement so as to maintain a desired state of the end effector or a remote center about which an instrument shaft pivots. In another aspect, the joints are also driven according to a calculated end effector or remote center displacing velocities within a null-perpendicular-space of the Jacobian so as to effect the desired reconfiguration concurrently with a desired movement of the end effector or remote center.

Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for cancelling movement of one or more joints of a telesurgical manipulator to effect manipulation movement of an end effector. Methods include calculating movement of joints within a null-perpendicular space to effect desired end effector movement while calculating movement of one or more locked joints within a null-space to cancel the movement of the locked joints within the null-perpendicular-space. Methods may further include calculating movement of one or more joints to effect an auxiliary movement or a reconfiguration movement that may include movement of one or more locked joints. The auxiliary and reconfiguration movements may overlay the manipulation movement of the joints to allow movement of the locked joints to effect the auxiliary movement or reconfiguration movement, while the movement of the locked joints to effect manipulation is canceled. Various configurations for devices and systems utilizing such methods are provided herein.