A robotic manipulator is described. The robotic manipulator includes a rigid or semi-rigid end effector that engages with objects and a sensor that detects data associated with the object. For example, the sensor can include an optical sensor or a vision-based tactile sensor that detects data associated with the object.

A tactile sensor including a cap having a top surface and an undersurface. The undersurface includes pins, each pin has a mark. A portion of the undersurface is attachable to a device. A camera positioned in view of the marks, captures images of the marks placed in motion by elastic deformation of the top surface of the cap. A processor receives the captured images and determines a set of relative positions of the marks in the captured images, by identifying measured image coordinates of locations in images of the captured images. Determine a net force tensor acting on the top surface using a stored machine vision algorithm, by matching the set of relative positions of the marks to a stored set of previously learned relative positions of the marks placed in motion. Control the device via a controller in response to the net force tensor determined in the processor.

This application describes a fibre optic cable structure which is advantageous for distributed fibre optic sensing, for example distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). The fibre optic cable structure includes an optical fibre for distributed fibre optic sensing and is configured to comprise at least one longitudinal section of a first type, which exhibits a change in effective optical path length of the optical fibre of one polarity in response to a given applied force, and which is adjacent to at least one longitudinal section of a second type, which exhibits a change in effective optical path length of the optical fibre of the opposite polarity in response to an equivalent applied force. When used for DAS, the response of a sensing portion that includes sections of both the first and second types, will include or exclude certain wavenumber by summation, which provides a directional sensitivity to incident waves.

Various tactile sensors and associated methods are enabled. For instance, a sensing apparatus comprises a photosensitive sensor. A compound-eye structure is on the photosensitive sensor and an elastomer layer is on the compound-eye structure. A reflective layer is on the elastomer layer, opposite the compound-eye structure and a light source emits light between the reflective layer and the compound-eye structure.

Various tactile sensors and associated methods are enabled. For instance, a sensing apparatus comprises a photosensitive sensor. A compound-eye structure is on the photosensitive sensor and an elastomer layer is on the compound-eye structure. A reflective layer is on the elastomer layer, opposite the compound-eye structure and a light source emits light between the reflective layer and the compound-eye structure.

Optical tactile sensors are provided that include a scaffolding structure, a transparent elastomer material covering at least an end portion of the scaffolding structure, and one or multiple cameras situated on the end portion of the scaffolding structure and embedded within the transparent elastomer material, wherein the one or multiple cameras are situated so as to provide an extended, e.g., up to 360°, field of view about the end portion of the scaffolding structure.

Optical tactile sensors are provided that include a scaffolding structure, a transparent elastomer material covering at least an end portion of the scaffolding structure, and one or multiple cameras situated on the end portion of the scaffolding structure and embedded within the transparent elastomer material, wherein the one or multiple cameras are situated so as to provide an extended, e.g., up to 360°, field of view about the end portion of the scaffolding structure.

A sensor is used in measuring the torque applied to a slew drive. The slew drive includes a worm gear and a worm wheel and the sensor is coupled with a securing device that is used to secure the worm gear to the slew drive housing. The sensor generates a signal which is indicative of the torque on the worm wheel. The worm gear is secured to the slew drive housing by a first bearing and a second bearing. Two end plates and eight bolts are also used to further secure the worm gear and the bearings to the slew drive housing. By tightening the bolts, a compressive force is applied on the worm gear through the bearings. The applied torque on the worm wheel causes an axial force on the worm gear. The axial force is transmitted through the worm gear, the bearings, the end plates, and the bolts. One or more sensors can be embedded in one or more of the end plates or the bolts to measure the strain, in the end plates or the bolts, due to the axial force. A control device receives the signal from the sensor and stores, analyses, and/or communicates the signal.

The present application discloses implementations that relate to devices and techniques for sensing position, force, and torque. Devices described herein may include a light emitter, photodetectors, and a curved reflector. The light emitter may project light onto the curved reflector, which may reflect portions of that projected light onto one or more of the photodetectors. Based on the illuminances measured at the photodetectors, the position of the curved reflector may be determined. In some implementations, the curved reflector and the light emitter may be elastically coupled via one or more spring elements; in these implementations, a force vector representing a magnitude and direction of a force applied against the curved reflector may be determined based on the position of the curved reflector.

A device configured to be mounted on a mechanical component and to measure an axial load exerted on the mechanical component, the device including a ring provided with an inner cylindrical surface and with an outer opposite cylindrical surface, the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces delimiting the radial thickness of the ring. The device further provides at least one optical sensing fiber disposed in a first circumferential groove provided on one of the outer and inner cylindrical surfaces of the ring.