119results about "Robot" patented technology

Surgical systems and methods for manipulation of an anatomy that includes cortical and cancellous bone. A surgical manipulator has a robotic arm to move an instrument with an energy applicator. A sensor senses forces / torques applied to the energy applicator. Controller(s) obtain a tool path for the energy applicator to traverse. A segment of the tool path transitions into, or between, cortical bone and cancellous bone. The controller(s) control the manipulator to advance the energy applicator along the tool path according to a first feed rate to manipulate the cortical or cancellous bone and detect, with the sensor, a change in the forces / torques being indicative of the transition. In response to detection of this change, the controller(s) control the manipulator to advance the energy applicator along the tool path according to a second feed rate, greater / less than the first feed rate.

An end effector is disclosed. Exemplary end effector includes a paddle, wherein a proximal end of the paddle is provided with a rear protrusion for positioning a substrate; a ring extending from the paddle, wherein the ring is provided with a circular protrusion for supporting the substrate; and a blade extending from the ring, wherein a distal end of the blade is provided with a front protrusion for positioning a substrate.

An insertion tool for performing an operation on equipment, the insertion tool including: a plurality of segments, each segment of the plurality of segments including a body comprising: a first hinge; and a second hinge, the first hinge of a first segment being coupled to the second hinge of a second segment adjacent to the first segment through an interface, wherein the interface comprises a powder gap, a multi-modal interface, a compliance feature, a displace-to-lock configuration, an interference fit, or any combination thereof, wherein the insertion tool is configured to be selectively rigidizable using a strength member interfacing with the plurality of segments.

An automated system that can be used for prosthetic heart valve manufacturing or suturing procedures. The system includes automated fixtures that maneuver a needle and a target device. The automated fixtures can be suturing arms, target device holders, needle transfer fixtures, and / or needle holders. The automated fixtures can rotate a target device held by the holder to allow one or more additional automated fixtures to perform operations such as form sutures on the target device without intervention of a human operator. The system can include a display system configured to display status information of a suturing procedure.

To provide a robotic surgery system, a method and an apparatus.SOLUTION: The present teachings relate to surgery. More specifically, the present teachings relate to an apparatus and a method for providing minimally invasive surgery and robotic surgery. A surgical system may be configured to be a minimally invasive and / or computer assisted surgical system. Operation of the system may be controlled by transmission of a force from a first section to a second section of the system. The first section and the second section may be separated by a partition or a barrier. The first section may be a non-sterile section, and the second section may be a sterile section of the surgical system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Systems and methods are provided for specifying safety rules for robotic devices. A computing device can determine information about any actors present within a predetermined area of an environment. The computing device can determine a safety classification for the predetermined area based on the information. The safety classification can include: a low safety classification if the information indicates zero actors are present within the predetermined area, a medium safety classification if the information indicates any actors are present within the predetermined area all are of a predetermined first type, and a high safety classification if the information indicates at least one actor present within the predetermined area is of a predetermined second type. After determining the safety classification for the predetermined area, the computing device can provide a safety rule for operating within the predetermined area to a robotic device operating in the environment.

A telepresence robot may include a drive system, a control system, an imaging system, and a mapping module. The mapping module may access a plan view map of an area and tags associated with the area. In various embodiments, each tag may include tag coordinates and tag information, which may include a tag annotation. A tag identification system may identify tags within a predetermined range of the current position and the control system may execute an action based on an identified tag whose tag information comprises a telepresence robot action modifier. The telepresence robot may rotate an upper portion independent from a lower portion. A remote terminal may allow an operator to control the telepresence robot using any combination of control methods, including by selecting a destination in a live video feed, by selecting a destination on a plan view map, or by using a joystick or other peripheral device.

Systems, methods, and machine-executable coded instruction sets are disclosed for fully- and / or partly automated handling of goods. The disclosure provides improvements in the storage and retrieval of storage and delivery containers in order processing systems.

A robotic system includes a base, a grounding arm, a working arm, and one or more sensors. The grounding arm extends from the base and is configured to be coupled to a fixed structure within the mouth of the patient for establishing an origin for the robotic system. The working arm extends from the base and is configured to be coupled with one or more tools for use during an installation of a dental implant in the mouth. The one or more sensors are for monitoring positions of the grounding arm and / or the working arm and to generate positional data that is used to create a post-operative virtual three-dimensional model of at least a portion of the mouth of the patient.

A computer-perceptible marking identifying an object can facilitate interaction and navigation by a robot. The machine readable indicia can comprise symbols that can be perceived and interpreted by the robot. Thus, the indicia can be perceived by the robot, while not interfering with the aesthetics of the environment.

Example systems and methods may be used to determine a trajectory for moving an object using a robotic device. One example method includes determining a plurality of possible trajectories for moving an object with an end effector of a robotic manipulator based on a plurality of possible object measurements. The method may further include causing the robotic manipulator to pick up the object with the end effector. After causing the robotic manipulator to pick up the object with the end effector, the method may also include receiving sensor data from one or more sensors indicative of one or more measurements of the object. Based on the received sensor data, the method may additionally include selecting a trajectory for moving the object from the plurality of possible trajectories. The method may further include causing the robotic manipulator to move the object through the selected trajectory.

An automated painting system that includes a robotic arm and a painting end effector coupled at a distal end of the robotic arm, with the painting end effector configured to apply paint to a target surface. The painting system can also include a computing device executing a computational planner that: generates instructions for driving the painting end effector and robotic arm to perform at least one painting task that includes applying paint, via the painting the end effector, to a plurality of drywall pieces, the generating based at least in part on obtained target surface data; and drives the end effector and robotic arm to perform the at least one painting task.

Techniques for operating a kinematic structure by manual motion of a link coupled to the kinematic structure include a system comprising a first manipulating means and processing means. The processing means is for detecting whether a first means for accessing an internal worksite is mounted to the first manipulating means; detecting an input indicating the system is to be in a set-up mode; and inhibiting, in response to detecting that the first means is mounted to the first manipulating means, transition of the system to the set-up mode.

The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.

A robotic work tool system (200) for defining a working area perimeter (105) surrounding a working area (150) in which a robotic work tool (100) is intended to operate. The robotic work tool system (200) comprises a boundary definition unit (300) comprising at least one position unit (175) for receiving position data; and at least one controller (210) for controlling operation of the boundary definition unit (300). The controller (210) being configured to receive, from the position unit (175), position data while the boundary definition unit (300) is moved around the working area (150) to define a preliminary working area perimeter (110). The controller (210) is further configured to identify, based on the received position data, a geometry of the preliminary working area perimeter (110) approximately corresponding to a predefined geometry; and to adjust the identified geometry to define an adjusted working area perimeter (105), wherein the identified geometry is adjusted to correspond to the predefined geometry.

Joint structure of an industrial robot, the industrial robot comprising the following: an upper arm (16); a forearm (22) with a forearm base (20) which is rotatably connected to the upper arm; a supply line (28) extending from a lateral side of the upper arm and being inserted into a lateral side of the forearm base; a first fastening element (44) that secures the supply line to an upper section of the lateral side of the upper arm; and a second fastening element (46) that secures the supply line to the lateral side of the forearm base, where the range of motion of the forearm in relation to the upper arm is variable, wherein the supply line has a length range corresponding to the range of motion of the forearm between the lateral side of the upper arm and the lateral side of the forearm base, and wherein the supply line (28) has a length section for adjusting the length range corresponding to a change in the range of motion of the forearm (22), wherein a receiving section (38 or 42) for receiving the length section of the supply line (28) is formed in the upper arm (16) and in the forearm (22), and the length section is received in or held by the upper arm or the base of the forearm.

Devices, systems, and methods for automatically exchanging a first end-effector on a robot arm with a second end-effector housed in a docking station. The first end-effector has a clamp that either engages or disengages the robot arm based upon an application of force of the robot arm onto the end-effector. The clamp has a spring loaded clip that disengages the first end-effector to allow the robot arm to move away from the released first end-effector. The robot arm is configured to automatically move to a port of a docking station housing the desired second end-effector using magnetic coils on the robot arm and the docking station to guide the robot arm.

This disclosure provides systems and methods for in situ gap inspection in a machine, such as a generator, an electric motor, or a turbomachine, with an end region. A robotic crawler is configured to navigate an annular gap of the machine. A visual inspection module is connected to the robotic crawler and includes an extension member for extending a camera into the end region to collect visual inspection data.

Deformable sensors and methods for detecting forces and poses of an object are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a signal from a deformable sensor, the signal including data from a deformed region in a deformable membrane generated with an internal sensor disposed within a housing in contact with an object and having a field of view through a medium and toward a bottom surface of the deformable membrane. The method also determines a pose of the object based on the deformed region of the deformable membrane. The method also determines a magnitude of force applied between the deformable membrane and the object based on the deformed region of the deformable membrane.

An example implementation involves receiving measurements from an inertial sensor coupled to the robot and detecting an occurrence of a foot of the legged robot making contact with a surface. The implementation also involves reducing a gain value of an amplifier from a nominal value to a reduced value upon detecting the occurrence. The amplifier receives the measurements from the inertial sensor and provides a modulated output based on the gain value. The implementation further involves increasing the gain value from the reduced value to the nominal value over a predetermined duration of time after detecting the occurrence. The gain value is increased according to a profile indicative of a manner in which to increase the gain value of the predetermined duration of time. The implementation also involves controlling at least one actuator of the legged robot based on the modulated output during the predetermined duration of time.

The present invention relates to visual based wafer notch position measurement. A wafer alignment system includes an image capture device that captures an image of a wafer positioned on a pedestal. An image analysis module analyzes the image to detect an edge of the wafer with a notch formed at the edge of the wafer and calculates a first edge position and a second edge position corresponding to the edge of the wafer based on a position of the notch. An offset calculation module calculates an angular offset of the wafer based on the first edge position and the second edge position. A system control module controls a transfer of the wafer from the pedestal to a processing unit based on the angular offset.

A clutch assembly includes a first member for mechanically coupling to an output shaft. A first material is frictionally coupled to a first side surface of the first member. A second material is frictionally coupled to a second side surface of the first member. A compliant member is configured to apply an axial force on at least one of the first material and the second material. A radial spring least partially surrounds an exterior surface of the first member.

Generally, a sterile adapter for use in robotic surgery may include a frame configured to be interposed between a tool driver and a surgical tool, a plate assembly coupled to the frame, and at least one rotatable coupler supported by the plate assembly and configured to communicate torque from an output drive of the tool driver to an input drive of the surgical tool.

Disclosed is a medical robot system including medical robots placed at different locations and a data analysis apparatus. Each of the medical robots includes a controller that transmits data on a state of operation of the medical robot to the data analysis apparatus. The data analysis apparatus includes a data analysis unit that generates a reference for determining whether or not the medical robots are normal, based on the data transmitted from the medical robots. The data analysis unit monitors the data transmitted from each of the medical robots in operation based on the reference.

Exemplary embodiments relate to user-assisted robotic control systems, user interfaces for remote control of robotic systems, vision systems in robotic control systems, and modular grippers for use by robotic systems. The systems, methods, apparatuses and computer-readable media instructions described interact with and control robotic systems, in particular pick and place systems using soft robotic actuators to grasp, move and release target objects.

A system enables management of dispensable units by supporting functions such as retrieval, scheduled distribution, analysis, and notifications. To this end, a dispensable retrieval mechanism may be programmed to carry out blind retrievals of dispensable units using a retrieval strategy with a predetermined sequence of retrieval attempts (e.g., fixed or varying two-dimensional retrieval patterns), which may be open loop or closed loop. Techniques may also include the identification of dispensable units through optical sensors and weight measurement devices that can detect, e.g., a texture, a shape, and a size of dispensable units. Such identification can be used to program retrieval attempts by a retrieval robot and in the formulation of the retrieval pattern. Additionally, networked notification systems for dispensable units can be used for updating rules or schedules related to the dispensable units, or alerting users and remote resources of any potential misuse or hazards of the dispensable units.

A wire-driven manipulator including a driver, a first deforming section including a first distal member, a plurality of first guide members, and a plurality of first wires, and a second deforming section provided between the first deforming section and the driver with the second deforming section including a second distal member, a plurality of second guide members, and a plurality of second wires. The plurality of first wires are fixed to the first distal member, and at least one of the plurality of first wires is further fixed to the plurality of first guide members and other wires of the plurality of the first wires are slidable with respect to the plurality of first guide members. The plurality of second wires are fixed to the second distal member, and at least one of the plurality of second wires is further fixed to the plurality of second guide members and the other wires of the plurality of the first wires are slidable with respect to the plurality of second guide members. In addition, the length of the first deforming section is shorter than the length of the second deforming section.

Grasping of an object, by an end effector of a robot, based on a grasp strategy that is selected using one or more machine learning models. The grasp strategy utilized for a given grasp is one of a plurality of candidate grasp strategies. Each candidate grasp strategy defines a different group of one or more values that influence performance of a grasp attempt in a manner that is unique relative to the other grasp strategies. For example, value(s) of a grasp strategy can define a grasp direction for grasping the object (e.g., "top", "side"), a grasp type for grasping the object (e.g., "pinch", "power"), grasp force applied in grasping the object, pre-grasp manipulations to be performed on the object, and / or post-grasp manipulations to be performed on the object.

An automated food making apparatus is described. An automated food making apparatus can include: a carousel; a dispensing apparatus shared among a plurality of canisters on the carousel, wherein at least one canister includes a paddle; and wherein the dispensing apparatus is configured to rotate the canister's paddle to dispense ingredients stored in the canister. A dispensing mechanism for an automated food making apparatus can include: an actuator arm; a motor that is adapted to rotate the actuator arm; one or more magnets embedded in the actuator arm; and one or more sensors configured to detect position of the actuator arm; wherein the actuator arm dispenses ingredients by rotating a pin located on a canister.

An apparatus including at least one drive; a first robot arm having a first upper arm, a first forearm and a first end effector. The first upper arm is connected to the at least one drive at a first axis of rotation. A second robot arm has a second upper arm, a second forearm and a second end effector. The second upper arm is connected to the at least one drive at a second axis of rotation which is spaced from the first axis of rotation. The first and second robot arms are configured to locate the end effectors in first retracted positions for stacking substrates located on the end effectors at least partially one above the another. The first and second robot arms are configured to extend the end effectors from the first retracted positions in a first direction along parallel first paths located at least partially directly one above the other. The first and second robot arms are configured to extend the end effectors in at least one second direction along second paths spaced from one another which are not located above one another. The first upper arm and the first forearm have different effective lengths. The second upper arm and the second forearm have different effective lengths.