In an optical components automatic alignment robot, a motorized target moves closer or further from a digital camera being tested or assembled. A light sensor is used to automatically calibrate an ultraviolet (UV) or other light source used for curing adhesive. An automatic surface finder is used to accurately and repeatably find a surface on which adhesive is to be dispensed.

A system is provided that furnishes expert procedural guidance based upon patient-specific data gained from surgical instruments incorporating sensors on the instrument's working surface, one or more reference sensors placed about the patient, sensors implanted before, during or after the procedure, the patient's personal medical history, and patient status monitoring equipment. Embodiments include a system having a surgical instrument with a sensor for generating a signal indicative of a property of a subject tissue of the patient, which signal is converted into a current dataset and stored. A processor compares the current dataset with other previously stored datasets, and uses the comparison to assess a physical condition of the subject tissue and/or to guide a procedure being performed on the tissue.

In accordance with certain implementations of the present approach, a reduced, element-by-element, data set is transmitted between a robot having a sensor suite and a control system remote from the robot that is configured to display a representation of the environment local to the robot. Such a scheme may be useful in allowing a human operator remote from the robot to perform an inspection using the robot while the robot is on-site with an asset and the operator is off-site. In accordance with the present approach, an accurate representation of the environment in which the robot is situated is provided for the operator to interact with.

A line bypass system includes a support structure including a first support portion and a second support portion spaced apart from the first support portion. The support structure includes an attachment portion that attaches the first support portion to the second support portion. The first support portion and the second support portion define a first opening on a first side of the attachment portion and a second opening on a second side of the attachment portion. The first opening movably receives a first guide wire and the second opening movably receives a second guide wire.

A method for checking the operation of a photovoltaic module of a photovoltaic power station. The module has a positive terminal, a negative terminal and a number of solar cells, in particular thin-layer solar cells. An electric field emitted by the photovoltaic module as a result of solar radiation is measured at an exposed measurement location during the operation of the power station and the electrical voltage present between the positive terminal and the negative terminal is determined from the measured electric field. A corresponding measuring instrument has a sensor to be placed near the photovoltaic module so as to measure the electric field strength. A rod or wand may be used to position the sensor, or a robot may be configured for automatic travel on the photovoltaic module.

A line bypass system includes a support structure including a first support portion and a second support portion spaced apart from the first support portion. The support structure includes an attachment portion that attaches the first support portion to the second support portion. The first support portion and the second support portion define a first opening on a first side of the attachment portion and a second opening on a second side of the attachment portion. The first opening movably receives a first guide wire and the second opening movably receives a second guide wire.

A robotic system includes a main drive unit, a non-actuated extendable arm unit an axial drive unit, an arm guidance member, and a head articulation unit. The unit includes a mounting structure, and an arm storage unit coupled to the mounting structure. The arm unit is coupled to the arm storage unit to be moved axially in a lateral plane from the arm storage unit. The arm unit is flexible and thin in the lateral plane, and rigid and wide in a vertical plane. The unit may be coupled to the arm storage unit to enable axial extension and retraction of the unit. The head articulation unit is coupled to the arm unit to actuate thereto.

Provided are methods and systems for remotely controlling of robotic platforms in confined spaces or other like spaces not suitable for direct human operation. The control is achieved using multi-modal sensory data, which includes at least two sensory response types, such as a binocular stereoscopic vision type, a binaural stereophonic audio type, a force-reflecting haptic manipulation type, a tactile type, and the like. The multi-modal sensory data is obtained by a robotic platform positioned in a confined space and transmitted to a remote control station outside of the confined space, where it is used to generate a representation of the confined space. The multi-modal sensory data may be used to provide multi-sensory high-fidelity telepresence for an operator of the remote control station and allow the operator to provide more accurate user input. This input may be transmitted to the robotic platform to perform various operations within the confined space.

One embodiment provides a pipe inspection robot, including: a chassis configured to traverse through an interior of a water or sewer pipe; a water quality probe comprising a first end that couples to the chassis and a sensing end distal thereto; an electric motor configured to reposition the sensing end of the water quality probe with respect to the chassis; said electric motor acting to move the sensing end of the water quality probe to reposition the sensing end proximate to fluid containing water located proximate to a bottom part of the chassis; the sensing end configured to contact the fluid containing water for contact sensing of water quality data. Other aspects are described and claimed.

A wheel nut engagement checking system for a vehicle delivered by a conveyor includes: a moving member disposed at one side of the conveyor; a wheel lifting apparatus disposed on the moving member, and lifting a wheel of the vehicle from the conveyor to a predetermined height; a wheel nut torque checking apparatus provided on an arm of a robot disposed on the moving member, engaging a nut runner to a wheel nut of the wheel, and checking an engage torque of the wheel nut by rotating the nut runner; and a controller controlling a speed of the moving member, lifting the wheel to the predetermined height using the wheel lifting apparatus, moving the wheel nut torque checking apparatus using the robot so as to engage the nut runner to the wheel nut, and detecting an engage torque of the wheel nut by rotating the nut runner.