The present invention discloses a gripper device using an air-tube. Particularly, the gripper device quickly performs ‘release’ on gripping of a product. The gripper device is designed so that compressed air for griping, which is introduced through a first tube and accumulated in an expansion space of a side wall of the cylindrical air-tube, is instantly discharged to the outside through a second tube that is opened by a reverse movement of a valve and the air-tube. Thus, the ‘release’ is quickly performed to resultantly extremely reduce an operation time of a transfer operation in which gripping, transferring, releasing, and returning of the product are repeated.

A finger for a robotic gripper may include a flexible actuator, a flexible backbone, a rigid constraint frame, a plurality of jamming layers, and a jamming bag. The flexible actuator may have a proximal end, a distal end disposed opposite the proximal end, a first side, and a second side disposed opposite the first side. The flexible backbone may be coupled to the flexible actuator and disposed along the first side of the flexible actuator. The rigid constraint frame may be coupled to the flexible actuator and disposed along the second side of the flexible actuator. The jamming layers may be coupled to the flexible actuator and disposed at least partially within the rigid constraint frame. The jamming bag disposed at least partially within the rigid constraint frame and configured to apply a compressive force to the jamming layers when a positive pressure is generated within the jamming bag.

Exemplary embodiments relate to improvements in soft robotic systems that permit a soft robotic end effector to be a self-contained system, without reliance on a tether to deliver inflation fluid to the actuator(s) of the end effector. According to some embodiments, a robotic system may be provided including a soft actuator and a hub. The body of the hub may include an integrated pressure source configured to supply inflation fluid through the actuator interface to the soft actuator. The pressure source may be, for example, a compressor (such as a twin-head compressor) or a reaction chamber configured to vaporize a fuel to create a high-temperature pressurized gas and deliver the pressurized gas to the actuator One or more accumulators may receive inflation fluid (or a partial vacuum) from the compressor over time, and store the inflation fluid under pressure, thus allowing actuation over a relatively short time period.

Systems and methods are provided for shape controlled gripping of a workpiece. A layer jamming structure includes a membrane defining an internal cavity containing a number of overlapping material layers. A pressure system includes a pump coupled with the internal cavity. A shape conforming tool includes at least one part configured to move to apply a force to the layer jamming structure. The shape conforming tool, by operation of the part, conforms the layer jamming structure to the workpiece. The pressure system, with operation of the pump, changes a pressure in the internal cavity to impart rigidity to the layer jamming structure.

A soft robotic actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes a first portion with a substantially constant profile and a second portion with a regularly varying profile, and bends in a pressure-dependent fashion as the internal pressure within the actuator is increased or decreased.

A grabbing device, comprising a connection base, a gas pipeline provided in the connection base, a grabbing member having a hollow cavity and connected to the connection base, a filter layer provided between the hollow cavity and the gas pipeline, and particles filled in the hollow cavity. The gas pipeline is in communication with the hollow cavity by the filter layer for preventing the particles from entering the gas pipeline. The grabbing member is made of a flexible material, permitting the grabbing member to bulge when being inflated, and being recessed according to a shape of a surface of the object after the grabbing member contacts the object. The particles maintain the flexible state when the grabbing member is inflated, and the particles are pressed to the rigid state when withdrawing gas to deflate the grabbing member into a recessed position. The grabbing device can maintain a grip on objects having an irregular shape.

Provided is a machine tool hand including a body portion that is mounted so as to be attachable to and detachable from a spindle of a machine tool, and that is provided with a flow path connected to a coolant-liquid supply path formed in the spindle; and two or more hand members that are attached to the body portion such that at least one of the hand members is pivotable about a prescribed axis, and that are capable of gripping an object therebetween by being closed. The flow path is provided with discharge ports via which a coolant liquid supplied from the coolant-liquid supply path is discharged toward surfaces of the hand members that are exposed to an outside, and a pressure of the coolant liquid causes an opening operation or a closing operation of the hand members.

Exemplary embodiments relate to user-assisted robotic control systems, user interfaces for remote control of robotic systems, vision systems in robotic control systems, and modular grippers for use by robotic systems. The systems, methods, apparatuses and computer-readable media instructions described interact with and control robotic systems, in particular pick and place systems using soft robotic actuators to grasp, move and release target objects.

According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper. The gripper is flexible and includes a first portion contacting a workpiece, a second portion opposing the first portion, and a granular material provided between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion includes a concave portion and a convex portion. The concave portion is recessed in a first direction. The first direction is from the first portion toward the second portion. The convex portion is provided around the concave portion and protrudes in a second direction. The second direction is the reverse of the first direction. The concave portion has a groove having a ring configuration recessed outward from a center of the gripper.

Exemplary embodiments relate to improvements in robotic systems to reduce biological or chemical harborage points on the systems. For example, in exemplary embodiments, robotic actuators, hubs, or entire robotic systems may be configured to allow crevices along joints or near fasteners to be reduced or eliminated, hard corners to be replaced with rounded edges, certain components or harborage points to be eliminated, shapes to be reconfigured to be smoother or flat, and/or or surfaces to be reconfigurable for simpler cleaning.