Interface & Cartridge Architecture

Robotic Interfaces enable machines to discover, identify, approach, grasp, manipulate, align, connect, verify, inspect, release, transport, or replace System05 components.

Robot readiness shall not mean merely that a robot could theoretically perform the task. The interface shall provide controlled geometry, information, access, and state verification suitable for repeatable automated operation.

A Robotic Interface shall define:

machine-readable identity;

component coordinate system;

target pose;

permitted approach vectors;

grasping or tooling features;

mass and center-of-gravity data;

allowable gripping forces;

collision envelope;

alignment tolerances;

engagement force and torque limits;

fastening parameters;

verification signals;

release sequence;

recovery behavior;

human exclusion requirements.

Robotic datums shall be physically related to the functional interface datums. Decorative surfaces, movable finishes, uncertain edges, or adhesive labels shall not serve as the sole reference for safety-critical positioning.

Visual markers, RFID, embedded sensors, geometric fiducials, or other localization systems may support identification and pose estimation. Loss or contamination of one marker should not make critical operations impossible where redundancy is reasonably achievable.

Grasping features shall prevent damage to finished surfaces, seals, sensors, wiring, and structural transfer regions. The robot shall be informed of allowable contact zones and prohibited contact zones.

Interfaces shall support staged alignment. Coarse localization shall bring the component into the approach envelope; mechanical guidance shall accommodate limited residual error; final datums shall establish the controlled installed position.

The robot shall be able to distinguish among incomplete engagement, correct seating, primary locking, secondary locking, sealing, energization, and commissioning. Completion shall not be inferred solely from the end position of the robotic arm.

Fastening operations shall record relevant evidence, such as applied torque, rotation, tension, insertion depth, force-displacement curve, tool identity, calibration status, timestamp, and final verification.

Robot-access requirements shall be coordinated with human installation. A component may support both methods, but neither method shall unknowingly compromise the access or safety requirements of the other.

Standard robot grasp geometries, fiducials, tool couplings, digital task descriptions, and pose tolerances remain TBD and require physical prototyping.