Robot with hot-swapped end effectors
AssigneeRethink Robotics, Inc.
InventorsDaniel Cookson, Andrew Wallace, James Griffith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Robots capable of accommodating dynamic replacement of end effectors load and run software that allows the end effector to be operated without change to the main control program. The driver may be dynamically linked and run during program execution when the corresponding end effector is detected. Typically, the robot controller will store a library of drivers, and load the appropriate driver when a new end effector is detected.
Claims12
-8. (canceled)
A tool plate for use with a robot system, the robot system comprising (i) a robot body, (ii) a robot arm connected to the robot body, the robot arm having a distal end including a first connector, and (iii) a robot controller for controlling the robot arm and an end effector connected thereto via the first connector, the tool plate comprising:
- nonvolatile memory storing data comprising at least one of identification information or configuration information;
- a communication interface;
- a processor;
- and
- a second connector matable with the first connector for establishing bidirectional communication between the processor and the robot controller via the communication interface, the processor being configured to cause transmission of the data to the robot controller upon mating of the first and second connectors,
- wherein the tool plate is removably connectable to the robot arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.