Systems and methods for estimating deformation and field of contact forces are described. A method includes generating a reference configuration including reference points in space. The reference configuration corresponds to an initial shape of a membrane prior to contact with the manipuland. The method further includes receiving raw data from a TOF device. The raw data includes points in space measured by the TOF device and indicating deformation of the membrane due to contact with the manipuland. The method further includes determining deformation of the membrane that best approximates a current configuration in a least squares sense while satisfying a discrete physical model enforced as a linear constraint that corresponds to a linearized physical model of the deformation that is discretized with an FEM, linearizing the relationship, and estimating deformation and field of contact forces by solving a least squares formulation with physical constraints cast as a sparse quadratic program.

A surgical instrument includes a wireless transmission system for transmitting at least one of power and a data signal through between an end effector and an instrument housing of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes the sensor monitoring and processing circuit.

Device and method for measuring contact force exerted by an object on a probe comprising a lever and said probe for contacting the object is provided. The lever is pivotably coupled to a body by a coupling module. The device comprising a fixed frame coupled to the body. The body is designed to be moved with respect to the object to put the probe in contact with the object to create force pivoting said lever with respect to the body around a pivot axis. The device comprising a sensor for measuring displacement of the lever with respect to the body upon pivoting. The coupling module comprises control stiffness module, so that when the probe contacts the object, the displacement of the lever is proportional to the force exerted by the probe on the object. Such control stiffness module is tunable so that accuracy and sensitivity of measured force is controlled.

A clamping force visualization device, including a first clamping body (01) for clamping an object; the first clamping body (01) is telescopically assembled on a base (14), an elastic element (110) is provided between the first clamping body (01) and the base (14), and a clamping force scale (11) and a reading indicator (15) are respectively provided on the first clamping body (01) and the base (14); when the first clamping body (01) clamps the object, the elastic element (110) measures a clamping force and the reading indicator (15) points to the clamping force scale (11) for reading, so that the magnitude of the clamping force can be intuitively seen and read during clamping, thereby achieving accurate clamping. A clamp including the clamping force visualization device is also involved.

Provided is a force sensor module which is configured to be disposed between a claw part of a robot hand and a drive section configured to drive the claw part and which includes: a force sensor; a first connection part configured to directly or indirectly connect the force sensor and the drive section; and a second connection part configured to directly or indirectly connect the force sensor and the claw part, the first connection part being connected with a fixing part of the force sensor, the second connection part being connected with a force receiver of the force sensor.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a sensor system includes a sensing surface and an array of pressure sensors arranged on the sensing surface. The array of pressure sensors includes at least one pressure sensor is parallel to the sensing surface, at least one pressure sensor is angled between parallel and perpendicular to the sensing surface, and at least one pressure sensor is perpendicular to the sensing surface. The pressure sensors are micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) barometric pressure sensors.

The present technology relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, a program, and a robot capable of estimate a value outside a detection range of a sensor. A control device of a first aspect of the present technology is a device that acquires detection results of a sensor unit composed of a plurality of sensors including a first sensor having a predetermined detection range, and a second sensor having a range in a detection range thereof in which detection by the first sensor is not possible and estimates a detected value of the first sensor outside the predetermined detection range on the basis of detection results of the second sensor. The present technology can be applied to a device that controls a robot having a hand part capable of gripping an object.

A method and system for wireless communication in a conveyor system. The method includes: formulating a command from a master controller to an accessory controller; translating the command into a simplified protocol; transmitting the simplified command via a wireless communications channel; receiving the simplified command at a wireless receiver; processing the simplified command by the accessory controller; formulating a response to the master controller from the accessory controller; transmitting the response via the wireless communications channel; and translating the response for handling by the master controller. The system includes: a downlink converter/transmitter configured to translate a command into a simplified protocol and send a simplified command via a wireless signal; an accessory receiver/transmitter configured to receive the wireless signal; and an accessory interface configured to communicate the simplified command to the accessory for execution.

A compliant tri-axial force sensor is disclosed that may be incorporated into soft robots or electronic skin. The sensor comprises a first electrode layer including column electrodes in a first orientation; a second electrode layer including column electrodes in a second orientation that is orthogonal to the first orientation; a force-dependent active layer provided between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer configured to change at least one property—such as quantum tunneling, conductivity, resistivity, or electrical charge—when subjected to a force; at least one three dimensional bump arranged to transmit externally applied force through the active layer; and at least one spacer arranged to maintain a separation between two or more layers in the sensor until an external force is applied.

A tactile sensor includes a first layer formed of flexible material having an outer contact surface and an opposed inner interface surface, a second layer formed of substantially transparent flexible material arranged in substantially continuous contact with the flexible first layer at the interface surface, a camera, and reflective material. The first and second layers are configured so that pressure exerted by an object or objects contacting the outer contact surface causes at least localized distortion of the interface surface. The camera is arranged to capture an image of the interface surface through the flexible second layer. The reflective material is configured so that the appearance of at least part of the reflective material changes as the viewing angle changes and the reflective material is located between the layers at the interface surface.