Support robot and methods of use thereof

A robot control system capable of providing timely delivery of at least one selected from a group consisting of a tool, a part, a component, an electrical supply, a welding gas supply, and an air supply to a user, the robot control system comprising:

• a detection unit for detecting a motion or other signal;
• a motion planning unit producing data for controlling the motion of a robot based on an output from the detection unit;
• an input unit for receiving an input from the user;
• a work progress estimation unit for estimating a work progress of the user based on the input received for the detected motion or other signal by the detection unit and work progress related data stored in a work progress data repository;
• a robot location adjustment unit, wherein the robot location adjustment unit adjusts a location of the robot based on an output from the motion planning unit;
• a movable tray, wherein the movable tray is adjusted based on an output from the work progress estimation unit;
• and
• an upper level planning unit for updating at least one of a work process and progress database and a worker profile and trend database based off at least one of an input from the input unit and an input from the detection unit;
• wherein the work progress estimation unit is in operative communication with a user profile and trend database having a plurality of user profiles stored therein, wherein the work progress estimation unit alters at least one of the motion of the robot and a motion of the movable tray based on a selected one of the plurality of user profiles.

A method for providing at least one of a tool, a part, a component, an electrical supply, a welding gas supply, and an air supply to a user, via a support robot having a tray rotatable about a first axis and a plurality of wheels for moving the support robot along a surface, the method comprising:

• detecting a user motion or other signal via a detection unit;
• planning a motion of at least one of the rotatable tray and the plurality of wheels via a motion planning unit based on at least an output from the detection unit;
• estimating a work progress of a user based on the input received for the detected user motion or other signal by the detection unit and work progress related data stored in a work progress data repository;
• and
• controlling at least one of a motor in operative communication with the rotatable tray or at least one motor in operative communication with the plurality of wheels based on said planning;
• wherein controlling the at least one of a motor comprises altering at least one of a motion of the robot and a motion of a movable tray based on a selected one of a plurality of user profiles stored in a user profile and trend database.