Systems and methods for securing objects to robotic devices

1. A device for a robot, the device comprising:

a structure including:

a locking mechanism having an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration; and

a receiving surface mechanically coupled to the locking mechanism, the receiving surface configured to interact with a member of the robot to move the locking mechanism between the engaged configuration and the disengaged configuration.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the receiving surface is formed integrally with the structure.

3. The device of claim 1 , further including a base, the structure being attachable to the base.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the base is attachable to at least one of the robot or an environment of the robot.

5. The device of claim 3 , wherein the base includes a set of features configured to engage with the structure.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the set of features includes a set of dowels.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the member of the robot includes a manipulator.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the manipulator includes a gripper.

9. The device of claim 7 , wherein the manipulator is configured to engage the receiving surface.

10. The device of claim 7 , wherein a shape of an exterior portion of the manipulator is complementary to a shape of the receiving surface.

11. The device of claim 7 , wherein a locking force provided by the locking mechanism is orthogonal to a clamping force provided by the manipulator.

12. The device of claim 7 , wherein a locking force provided by the locking mechanism is antiparallel to a displacement force provided by the manipulator.

13. The device of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes one or more locking tangs.

14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism assumes the engaged configuration in the absence of external forces applied to the structure.

15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism assumes the disengaged configuration when the member of the robot displaces the receiving surface by a threshold distance.

16. The device of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a first component and a second component, the first component being slidable along an axis with respect to the second component.

17. The device of claim 16 , further including a compliant member mechanically coupled to the first component and the second component.

18. The device of claim 16 , wherein the second component includes a receiving volume configured to receive the member of the robot.

19. A robot comprising the device of claim 1 .

20. A method of unlocking a structure from a robot, the structure locked to the robot via a locking mechanism of the structure, the locking mechanism having an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration, the method comprising:

aligning a member of a robot with the structure;

contacting the member of the robot with a receiving surface mechanically coupled to the locking mechanism; and

moving the member of the robot against the receiving surface to move the locking mechanism from the engaged configuration to the disengaged configuration.

21. A method of locking a structure to a robot, the structure including a locking mechanism having an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration, the method comprising:

aligning, by a member of a robot, the structure to a base attached to the robot, the member of the robot holding the locking mechanism in the disengaged configuration by maintaining contact with a receiving surface mechanically coupled to the locking mechanism;

placing, by the member of the robot, the structure onto the base;

moving the member of the robot out of contact with the receiving surface, the locking mechanism moving from the disengaged configuration to the engaged configuration.