Artificial muscles comprising a body of dielectric elastomer, wherein the body contains a pair of microfluidic networks are presented. Each microfluidic network includes a plurality of channels fluidically coupled via a manifold. The channels of the microfluidic networks are interdigitated and filled with conductive fluid such that each set of adjacent channels functions as the electrodes of an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator. By using the manifolds as compliant wiring to energize the electrodes, artificial muscles in accordance with the present disclosure mitigate some or all of the reliability problems associated with prior-art artificial muscles.

Systems and methods for tuning a powered prosthesis are described herein. A system includes a powered prosthesis including a joint, a motor mechanically coupled to the joint, a plurality of sensors, a finite state machine, and an impedance controller. The sensors are configured to measure a plurality of gait parameters, and the finite state machine is configured to determine a gait cycle state. The impedance controller is configured to output a control signal for adjusting a torque of the motor, where the torque is adjusted as a function of the measured gait parameters and a plurality of impedance control parameters, and where the impedance control parameters are dependent on the gait cycle state. The system also includes a reinforcement learning controller operably connected to the powered prosthesis. The reinforcement learning controller is configured to tune the impedance control parameters to achieve a target gait characteristic using a training data set.

Systems and methods for tuning a powered prosthesis are described herein. A system includes a powered prosthesis including a joint, a motor mechanically coupled to the joint, a plurality of sensors, a finite state machine, and an impedance controller. The sensors are configured to measure a plurality of gait parameters, and the finite state machine is configured to determine a gait cycle state. The impedance controller is configured to output a control signal for adjusting a torque of the motor, where the torque is adjusted as a function of the measured gait parameters and a plurality of impedance control parameters, and where the impedance control parameters are dependent on the gait cycle state. The system also includes a reinforcement learning controller operably connected to the powered prosthesis. The reinforcement learning controller is configured to tune the impedance control parameters to achieve a target gait characteristic using a training data set.

A robotic assembly control system is disclosed. The robotic assembly control system includes an exoskeleton apparatus adapted to be worn by a user, at least one robotic assembly, the at least one robotic assembly controlled by the user by way of the exoskeleton, and at least one mobile platform, the at least one mobile platform controlled by the user and wherein the at least one robotic assembly is attached to the at least one mobile platform.

A robotic assembly control system is disclosed. The robotic assembly control system includes an exoskeleton apparatus adapted to be worn by a user, at least one robotic assembly, the at least one robotic assembly controlled by the user by way of the exoskeleton, and at least one mobile platform, the at least one mobile platform controlled by the user and wherein the at least one robotic assembly is attached to the at least one mobile platform.

A method for distributing a limited amount of electrical power from an energy source to a plurality of electrical loads includes sensing and/or encoding the available electrical power of the energy source, monitoring a power balance of the loads by sensing and/or encoding the drawn power in the individual loads, and reducing the drawn power in the loads if the available power is not sufficient for supplying all the loads with the required power.

A data transmission system for transmitting an electrical data to a nerve cell. A data receiving system for receiving an electrical data from a nerve cell has at least two phototransistor crystals that is stimulated by light to form an electrical signal; an image source that allows the light to be sent to the phototransistor crystals and allows controlling the amount of light transmitted to each phototransistor crystal independently of each other, and at least one control unit that is connected to the image source that controls the amount of light transmitted from the image source to each of the phototransistor crystals.

A prosthetic wrist unit providing a connection between the arm and a hand mechanism, comprising a wrist base unit with at least one connection slot into which the hand mechanism is to be inserted and at least one connecting piece enabling the rotational movement of the prosthetic wrist unit; a joint including a joint seat and a joint body; a locking mechanism comprising a locking mechanism opening into which the joint body is inserted and enabling the prosthetic wrist unit to operate in two positions, i.e., fixed or movable; an arm coupling unit into which the joint and the locking mechanism are inserted and which restricts the movement of the joint and the locking mechanism; and at least one tendon ensuring the joint stiffness of the prosthetic wrist unit.

An orthopedic device has a base and a pivot element which is mounted in an articulated manner on the base. The pivot element is displaceable via a force transmission element connected to a drive from a starting position into a pivoting position that is pivoted in relation to the starting position. The force transmission element permits passive pivoting of the pivot element in the direction of the pivoting position without activation of the drive. A spring element designed for counteracting passive pivoting of the pivot element into the pivoting position is assigned to the pivot element. The spring element is formed separately from the force transmission element, and the force transmission element blocks deformation of the spring element during pivoting by the drive into the respective pivoting position.

A prosthetic arm apparatus comprising a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a harness mount that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.