Wireless quick change end effector system for use with a robot

1. A quick change end effector system for use with a robot, comprising:

a quick change end effector configured for application to a task to be completed by a robot, the quick change end effector further comprising an end effector magnet, the quick change end effector further comprising an end effector sensor, the end effector magnet comprising a permanent magnet;

a communications element configured to communicate with the end effector;

and a robotic manipulator configured to lock to the end effector, the robotic manipulator further configured to use the end effector to complete the task, the robotic manipulator comprising a manipulator magnet, the manipulator magnet being configured to magnetically attract the end effector magnet, thereby locking the manipulator to the quick change end effector, wherein the manipulator magnet is not free to move relative to the manipulator, the robotic manipulator further comprising a manipulator sensor, the manipulator sensor and the end effector sensor being configured to sense their mutual distance from each other, the manipulator sensor and the end effector sensor thereby ensuring locking of the quick change end effector into a-connection with the manipulator by ensuring that the distance between the manipulator sensor and the end effector sensor is minimized,

wherein upon disengagement of the magnetic attraction locking the manipulator to the quick change end effector, the quick change end effector can be removed from the manipulator.

2. The quick change end effector system of claim 1 , wherein the quick change end effector comprises a tool configured to perform the robotic task.

3. The quick change end effector system of claim 1 , wherein the end effector magnet and the manipulator magnet move into proximity to each other due to their magnetic attraction to each other, thereby locking the quick change end effector into a connection with the manipulator.

4. The quick change end effector system of claim 1 , wherein:

the quick change end effector is selectable from a plurality of candidate quick change end effectors.

5. The quick change end effector system of claim 1 , wherein:

the tool comprises one or more of a paint gun, a welding torch, a cutter, a pair of scissors, a glue gun, a stapler, and a gripper.

6. The quick change end effector system of claim 1 , wherein:

the gripper comprises one or more of one or more fingers, a hook, a magnet, a vacuum cup, a suction device, and a soft adaptive finger device.

7. The quick change end effector system of claim 1 , wherein:

the manipulator comprises one or more of a Cartesian manipulator and a trapezoidal manipulator.

8. The quick change end effector system of claim 1 , wherein the communications element is a wireless communications element.

9. The quick change end effector system of claim 1 , wherein:

the manipulator further comprises a power transmitter; and

the quick change end effector further comprises a power receiver configured to receive power sent by the power transmitter.

10. The quick change end effector system of claim 9 , wherein the power transmitter is a wireless power transmitter.

11. The quick change end effector system of claim 9 , wherein the power receiver is a wireless power receiver.