Control system and a method for operating a robot

Abstract

Control systems and methods for operating a robot are disclosed. The control system includes a robot comprising a fixed end and a manipulator movable relative to the fixed end. The robot is configured to move an elongated tool attached to an end effector of the manipulator within a robot space for aligning the elongated tool with an occluded target, wherein the robot space comprises a 3-dimensional (3D) space with the fixed end as a center. The control system further includes a processor communicatively coupled with the robot and a 3D imaging device. The 3D imaging device is configured to capture 3D images within an imaging space, wherein the imaging space comprises a 3D space with a fixed reference point on the 3D imaging device as a center. The processor is configured to process a preliminary 3D image of the end effector captured by the 3D imaging device to calibrate the robot by integrating the robot space with the imaging space. The processor is further configured to, based on the calibration of the robot, process a 3D image of a body containing the target captured by the 3D imaging device to obtain location data of the target in the integrated space. The processor is further configured to, based on the location data of the target in the integrated space, automatically control the manipulator to align a longitudinal axis of the elongated tool with the target.