Agility Robotics

Abstract A system in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present technology includes a robot and a dock. The robot includes a body and a plurality of legs connected to the body through which the robot is configured to ambulate. The robot further includes a hanger carried by the body and a charge-receiving electrode at the hanger. The dock includes a hook, a charge-dispensing electrode at the hook, and a guide that urges the hanger into alignment with the hook. The system is transitionable between an undocked state and a docked state. In the undocked state, the robot and the dock are spaced apart from one another. In the docked state, the hanger is received at the hook, the dock supports at least a portion of a weight of the robot via the hook, and the charge-receiving electrode is electrically connected to the charge-dispensing electrode.

Abstract A robot in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present technology includes a neck region through which the robot is configured to transmit and receive light. The robot defines a robot height and includes a body, a head carried by the body, and a neck extending between the head and the body along the robot height. The robot further includes a structural neck frame at a periphery of the neck in a plane perpendicular to the robot height. The structural neck frame defines windows distributed around the periphery of the neck. The robot further includes a sensor disposed at least partially within the structural neck frame. The sensor includes a laser configured to transmit light via the windows and a detector configured to receive light via the windows. A field of view of the sensor extends at least 320 degrees around the neck.

Abstract A method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present technology includes determining first hazard information about a human in an environment at a first time. The method further includes decelerating a mobile robot in the environment based at least partially on the first hazard information. The method further includes determining second hazard information about the human at a second time after the first time. The method further includes reconfiguring the mobile robot based at least partially on the second hazard information. Reconfiguring the mobile robot includes moving the mobile robot from a standing configuration to a non-standing configuration. The method further includes determining third hazard information about the human at a third time after the second time. Finally, the method includes causing a safe operating stop of the mobile robot based at least partially on the third hazard information.

Abstract A method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present technology includes receiving, by a computing system operably associated with a robot, information corresponding to a position of an object in a working environment. The method further includes selecting, by the computing system and based at least partially on the information, a manipulation behavior for the object among a plurality of manipulation behaviors in a library of the computing system. The selected manipulation behavior includes repositioning the object and lifting the object after repositioning the object. At least one of repositioning the object and lifting the object is bimanual. Moreover, at least one of repositioning the object and lifting the object is nonprehensile. Finally, the method includes manipulating, by the robot, the object in accordance with the selected manipulation behavior.

Abstract A method in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology includes retrieving an object from a starting location by grasping the object between two end effectors of a mobile robot. The method further includes generating, by data-processing hardware operably associated with the mobile robot, an object reference corresponding to a pose of the object at a time after retrieving the object and while the object is in contact with the end effectors. Generating the object reference is based at least partially on perception data corresponding to the object and includes generating a three-dimensional reference corresponding to a feature of the object based at least partially on a two-dimensional estimate from a neural network and a three-dimensional reference corresponding to a different feature of the object. Finally, the method includes controlling the mobile robot based at least partially on the object reference.

Abstract A method in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology includes retrieving an object from a starting location by grasping the object between two end effectors of a mobile robot. The method further includes generating, by data-processing hardware operably associated with the mobile robot, an object reference corresponding to a pose of the object at a time after retrieving the object and while the object is in contact with the end effectors. Generating the object reference is based at least partially on perception data corresponding to the object and includes generating a three-dimensional reference corresponding to a feature of the object based at least partially on a two-dimensional estimate from a neural network and a three-dimensional reference corresponding to a different feature of the object. Finally, the method includes controlling the mobile robot based at least partially on the object reference.

Abstract A method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present technology includes retrieving, by a legged robot, an object from a pick target while the legged robot is in a first dynamic balancing state. The method further includes carrying, by the legged robot, the object toward a place target spaced apart from the pick target while the legged robot ambulates over a floor surface. The method further includes placing, by the legged robot, the object at the place target while the legged robot is in a second dynamic balancing state. The legged robot in one of the first and second dynamic balancing states maintains its balance while its feet are planted on the floor surface. The legged robot in the other of the first and second dynamic balancing states maintains its balance while at least one of the feet moves relative to the floor surface.

Abstract A gear assembly in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present technology includes first and second supports extending circumferentially around an axis in first and second planes, respectively. The gear assembly further includes a first transfer member including first lobes and first troughs circumferentially alternating around the axis in a third plane. The gear assembly also includes a second transfer member including second lobes and second troughs circumferentially alternating around the axis in a fourth plane. The planes intersect the axis with the third and fourth planes between the first and second planes. The gear assembly further includes first and second pins circumferentially interspersed around the axis and extending between the first and second supports. The gear assembly transfers torque at least primarily via contact between the first pins and the first lobes and via contact between the second pins and the second lobes.