VR-Based Robot Programming and Simulation System for an Industrial Robot

Traditional robot programming such as teach by lead etc have been used for many years. These methods are considered not efficient and outdated in the current industrial and market demands. In this paper, virtual reality (VR) technology is used to improve human-robot interface - no complicated command or programming knowledge is required. The system is divided into three major parts: task teaching by demonstration in a computer generated virtual environment, a graphical robot simulator with intelligent robot command generator and last but not least, real task execution. The user is requested to complete the desired task in a virtual teaching system by wearing a data glove attached with a sensor tracker. The process path will be simulated and analyzed to obtain the optimum trajectory. Robot motions can be checked through the simulation program and robot program can be generated for the real task execution

Multiform Adaptive Robot Skill Learning from Humans

Object manipulation is a basic element in everyday human lives. Robotic manipulation has progressed from maneuvering single-rigid-body objects with firm grasping to maneuvering soft objects and handling contact-rich actions. Meanwhile, technologies such as robot learning from demonstration have enabled humans to intuitively train robots. This paper discusses a new level of robotic learning-based manipulation. In contrast to the single form of learning from demonstration, we propose a multiform learning approach that integrates additional forms of skill acquisition, including adaptive learning from definition and evaluation. Moreover, going beyond state-of-the-art technologies of handling purely rigid or soft objects in a pseudo-static manner, our work allows robots to learn to handle partly rigid partly soft objects with time-critical skills and sophisticated contact control. Such capability of robotic manipulation offers a variety of new possibilities in human-robot interaction.Comment: Accepted to 2017 Dynamic Systems and Control Conference (DSCC), Tysons Corner, VA, October 11-1

Intuitive Lead Through-Programming of Steel Grinding Robots

The SMErobot^\texttrademark is an EU project aiming at giving small and medium enterprises the benefits of robotic automation. This thesis tries to solve the problem of teaching a robot how to grind a surface. The algorithm presented in this thesis reconstructs a surface by triangulating a point cloud. From this surface a path, covering the whole surface, is computed and translated into a RAPID program. The algorithm is integrated into the ABB Lead-Through Server

The Usage and Evaluation of Anthropomorphic Form in Robot Design

There are numerous examples illustrating the application of human shape in everyday products. Usage of anthropomorphic form has long been a basic design strategy, particularly in the design of intelligent service robots. As such, it is desirable to use anthropomorphic form not only in aesthetic design but also in interaction design. Proceeding from how anthropomorphism in various domains has taken effect on human perception, we assumed that anthropomorphic form used in appearance and interaction design of robots enriches the explanation of its function and creates familiarity with robots. From many cases we have found, misused anthropomorphic form lead to user disappointment or negative impressions on the robot. In order to effectively use anthropomorphic form, it is necessary to measure the similarity of an artifact to the human form (humanness), and then evaluate whether the usage of anthropomorphic form fits the artifact. The goal of this study is to propose a general evaluation framework of anthropomorphic form for robot design. We suggest three major steps for framing the evaluation: 'measuring anthropomorphic form in appearance', 'measuring anthropomorphic form in Human-Robot Interaction', and 'evaluation of accordance of two former measurements'. This evaluation process will endow a robot an amount of humanness in their appearance equivalent to an amount of humanness in interaction ability, and then ultimately facilitate user satisfaction. Keywords: Anthropomorphic Form; Anthropomorphism; Human-Robot Interaction; Humanness; Robot Design</p