A pneumatic-based tactile sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a tactile sense transmitting pneumatic unit for generating pneumatic pressure by an external load applied to a first side; and a tactile sense receiving sensor unit for measuring the load by transforming a magnitude of pneumatic pressure of the tactile sense transmitting pneumatic unit into a displacement.

Systems, methods, and apparatus to provide artificial whisker filaments are disclosed and described. An example artificial whisker is tapered to include a tip diameter smaller than a base diameter of the artificial whisker, the artificial whisker formed from a polymer arranged to permit elastic deformation of the artificial whisker, the deformation of the artificial whisker to transmit force to a sensor associated with a base of the artificial whisker. An example method of manufacturing an artificial whisker includes removably affixing a first end of a filament to a heated, non-stick surface; drawing the filament across the surface to form a first, tapered portion, a second portion of the filament remaining on the surface, wherein the filament is to be drawn until the first portion is disengaged from the surface; and separating the first, tapered portion of the filament from the second portion of the filament to form a tapered artificial whisker.

Systems, methods, and apparatus to provide artificial whisker filaments are disclosed and described. An example artificial whisker is tapered to include a tip diameter smaller than a base diameter of the artificial whisker, the artificial whisker formed from a polymer arranged to permit elastic deformation of the artificial whisker, the deformation of the artificial whisker to transmit force to a sensor associated with a base of the artificial whisker. An example method of manufacturing an artificial whisker includes removably affixing a first end of a filament to a heated, non-stick surface; drawing the filament across the surface to form a first, tapered portion, a second portion of the filament remaining on the surface, wherein the filament is to be drawn until the first portion is disengaged from the surface; and separating the first, tapered portion of the filament from the second portion of the filament to form a tapered artificial whisker.

A sensor for measuring the flex of a pole when exposed to one or more forces, the sensor including at least one magnet and Hall Effect sensor combination, wherein the at least one magnet and Hall effect sensor are at a predetermined position relative to one another when there are no forces acting on the pole and which are movable relative to one another when forces act on the pole, such that a signal proportional to the relative movement is generated by the sensor.

This invention relates to force/torque sensor and more particularly to multi-axis force/torque sensor and the methods of use for directly teaching a task to a mechatronic manipulator. The force/torque sensor has a casing, an outer frame forming part of or connected to the casing, an inner frame forming part of or connected to the casing, a compliant member connecting the outer frame to the inner frame, and one or more measurement elements mounted in the casing for measuring compliance of the compliant member when a force or torque is applied between the outer frame and the inner frame.

A signal processing device for processing a detection signal of a sensor is provided. The signal processing device branches a detection signal of a sensor into a plurality of paths, and performs different preprocessing before AD conversion for each of the paths to generate a plurality of detection signals. For example, a first path for performing AD conversion of a signal of a first sensitivity, the signal being obtained by amplifying the detection signal of the sensor to match the first sensitivity, and a second path for attenuating the signal of the first sensitivity and performing AD conversion of a signal of a second sensitivity lower than the first sensitivity, are included, and the detection signals having different sensitivities are generated. Alternatively, an offset of the signal of the first sensitivity is changed for each of the paths, and a plurality of detection signals having different measurement ranges is generated.

The invention provides a sensor assembly for force sensing, the sensor assembly comprising: a first portion having a first and a second through hole, a second portion having a third and fourth through hole, and a first pin and a second pin coupling the first portion to the second portion. At least one out of the first and the second pin comprises a magnetoelastic based sensor for outputting a signal corresponding to a stress-induced magnetic flux emanating from a magnetically polarized region of the pin. The magnetoelastic based sensor comprises at least one direction sensitive magnetic field sensor in an at least partially hollow portion of the pin, which field sensor is configured for determination of a shear force in at least one direction. The invention further provides a tow coupling comprising the sensor assembly. The invention further provides a method for detecting a load.

A force measurement system is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a force measurement assembly configured to receive a subject; a data processing device operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly, the data processing device configured to determine a center of pressure for the subject using output forces and/or moments from the force measurement assembly; and a mobile device configured to determine one or more parameters indicative of the body sway for the subject. In this embodiment, a fall risk of the subject is assessed based upon a combination of the center of pressure and the one or more parameters indicative of the body sway determined for the subject.

The invention relates to a force sensor 100 that detects a force acting from the outside, and provides the force sensor 100 whose reduction in size and cost can be achieved. The force sensor 100 includes a support member 20, a force receiving member 4 that is displaced with respect to the support member 20 by the action of an external force, an elastic connection member 5 connecting the support member 20 and the force receiving member 4, scales 8a to 8d, which are detection target object bodies, disposed at the elastic connection member 5, displacement detection elements 9a to 9d that are mounted on the sensor substrate 7 composing the support member 20 so as to face the scales 8a to 8d in a one-to-one manner, and that detect movements of the scales 8a to 8d.

A force sensor that quantitatively detects an external force. The force sensor comprises a base unit, a displacement unit displacing by an external force, a first displacement sensor pair including two sets of sensors detecting a relative displacement between the base unit and the displacement unit in a first direction, and a second displacement sensor pair including two sets of sensors detecting a relative displacement between the base unit and the displacement unit in a second direction. Among four quadrants divided by two straight lines along each of the first direction and the second direction wherein, the straight lines passing through a midpoint of the two sets of sensors composing the first displacement sensor pair, the two sets of sensors composing the second displacement sensor pair are respectively disposed in two quadrants in which the two sets of sensors composing the first displacement sensor pair are respectively disposed.