KUKA Robotics Internship

Advanced Pick-and-Place Robotic Applications

Company KUKA Roboter GmbH
Location Augsburg, Germany
Duration September 2014 - February 2015

Pioneering research in mobile robotics using Google Project Tango technology integrated with ROS platform for industrial automation applications.

ROS
Tango
KUKA

Project Overview

Revolutionary integration of mobile sensing technology with industrial robotics

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Project Tango Integration

Utilizing Google's advanced 3D mapping and motion tracking technology for real-time environmental perception

Motion Tracking Depth Perception Area Learning
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ROS Platform

Robot Operating System providing robust middleware for distributed robotic applications and sensor fusion

Node Communication Message Passing Sensor Fusion
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Industrial Automation

KUKA robotic arm integration for precise pick-and-place operations in manufacturing environments

6-DOF Control Path Planning Safety Systems

Technology Stack

Cutting-edge technologies powering next-generation robotics

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Hardware Platforms

KUKA KR 5 sixx R650 6-axis industrial robot arm
Project Tango Tablet Google's 3D sensing device
RGB-D Cameras Depth perception sensors
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Software Framework

ROS Indigo Robot Operating System
Tango API Motion tracking interface
MoveIt! Planning Motion planning framework

Key Achievements

Breakthrough innovations in mobile robotics integration

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Β±2mm

Precision Accuracy

Achieved sub-2mm positioning accuracy in pick-and-place operations using Tango-based localization

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3D

Real-time Mapping

Implemented simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) for dynamic environment adaptation

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50%

Efficiency Improvement

Reduced programming time for new tasks through automated path generation and obstacle avoidance

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100%

Safety Compliance

Maintained full compliance with ISO 10218 industrial robot safety standards throughout development

Research Contributions

Novel approaches to human-robot collaboration in industrial settings

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Mobile Sensor Integration

Developed novel algorithms for integrating Project Tango's motion tracking capabilities with traditional industrial robot control systems, enabling real-time adaptation to environmental changes.

SLAM Algorithms Sensor Fusion Real-time Processing
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Adaptive Path Planning

Implemented dynamic path planning algorithms that utilize real-time 3D environmental data to optimize robot trajectories and avoid obstacles during pick-and-place operations.

RRT* Planning Obstacle Avoidance Trajectory Optimization
03

Human-Robot Interface

Created intuitive interfaces for human operators to interact with robotic systems through natural gestures and voice commands, enhancing collaborative workflows.

Gesture Recognition Voice Control Safety Protocols

Live Demonstration

See the integrated Tango-ROS-KUKA system in action

Demonstration Highlights

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Real-time Tracking Live 3D environment mapping
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Robotic Precision Accurate pick-and-place execution
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Mobile Integration Tango device coordination
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Real-time Response Sub-second adaptation time