A robot system according to an embodiment includes an arm mechanism that is articulated, a parallel link mechanism, an end effector, a detector, and a control device. The parallel link mechanism includes a fixed part mounted to a distal part of the arm mechanism, and a movable part that is mounted to the fixed part via multiple parallel links and is movable with respect to the fixed part. The end effector is mounted to the movable part. The detector is provided for detecting a position or orientation of a control point. The control device controls the arm mechanism and the parallel link mechanism. The control device performs a first operation of setting a posture of the control point to a first posture, and a second operation of setting the posture of the control point to a task posture in which the end effector performs a task.

A wrist joint, such as for a surgical instrument, may include a first disc, a second disc adjacent the first disc, a drive tendon connecting the first disc and the second disc. The first disc and the second disc may include respective opposing gear features that intermesh with one another. The first disc and the second disc may further include opposing load bearing surfaces. In response to tensioning the drive tendon, the first and second discs rotate relative to each other. The first and second discs may have a maximum rotational range of motion greater than about +/−45 degrees relative to each other.

A robot cell including a structure delimiting a cell with a closed section, typically polygonal, in particular rectangular, with metallic corner posts, extending vertically to the edges of the cell, the corner posts being preferably equipped at the lower ends of the posts with underframes intended to bear on the ground, metallic upper crossbars linking, in pairs, the upper ends of the posts over a periphery of the section cell, a central support formed by the assembly of metallic elements, extending over the cell between the upper crossbars resting locally at fastening supports on the upper crossbars, at intermediate areas of the upper crossbars, and a parallel-kinematics robot, housed within the volume of the cell.

A screwing device includes a screwdriver and a connection element for coupling the screwdriver to a robot arm. The connection element has a first robot-side transmission element, a second tool-side transmission element, a restoring element arranged between the first and second transmission elements, and a distance measuring element. The two transmission elements can be moved towards each other against a restoring force of the restoring element in an actuation direction. The distance measuring element measures a distance that represents the spacing between the transmission elements in the actuation direction and is used to control the actuating force acting on the screwdriver.

Aspects of the disclosure include a torque sensor arrangement configured to attach between a first part and a second part to sense torque therebetween, the torque sensor arrangement comprising an interface member having on its exterior an engagement configuration configured to rotationally engage the first part, a torsion member comprising a deflectable body attached at one end thereof to the interface member and comprising, at the other end of the deflectable body, an engagement configuration configured to fixedly engage the second part, and a deflection sensor attached to the deflectable body, wherein the interface member defines a rigid sleeve extending around the deflectable body and the torque sensor arrangement further comprises a bushing located between and in contact with both the sleeve and the deflectable body.

A robot system has first and second joint control units that respectively calculate first and second current values to be supplied to first and second motors based on deviations between first and second operation targets for the motors that are input from a higher device and actual operation of output shafts of the motor, and control operation of the output shafts by supplying current to the motors based on the current values, and an error estimation unit estimating an error in operation of a second joint due to bending and/or twisting of a robot arm based on the first current value and the actual operation of the output shaft of the first motor, in which the second joint control unit calculates the second current value to control the rotation angle of the output shaft of the second motor in a manner compensating for an angle error of the second joint.

A robot system has first and second joint control units that respectively calculate first and second current values to be supplied to first and second motors based on deviations between first and second operation targets for the motors that are input from a higher device and actual operation of output shafts of the motor, and control operation of the output shafts by supplying current to the motors based on the current values, and an error estimation unit estimating an error in operation of a second joint due to bending and/or twisting of a robot arm based on the first current value and the actual operation of the output shaft of the first motor, in which the second joint control unit calculates the second current value to control the rotation angle of the output shaft of the second motor in a manner compensating for an angle error of the second joint.

A rotary-type series elastic actuator (SEA) for use in robotic applications. The SEA including a motor, gear transmission assembly, spring assembly, and sensors. In one example, a robotic joint may include the SEA as well as two links coupled with each other at the joint assembly. The two links may be designated as input and output links. Each link may have a joint housing body which may be concentrically connected via a joint bearing so that they freely rotate against each other. The housing frame of the SEA may be fixed at the joint housing body of the input link while the output mount of the spring assembly of the SEA may be concentrically coupled with the joint housing body of the output link. The rotation of the motor rotor causes the rotation of the output link with respect to the input link plus spring deflection of the spring assembly. When an external force or torque are applied between the two links, a control action of a control loop may cause a rotation and motive force of the motor that lead to the deflection of the spring assembly to balance with the external force/torque and inertial force from body masses moving together with the links.

Provided is an industrial robot in which a gear for causing a work tool to rotate can easily be retrofitted to a robot without requiring work to adjust backlash. The present invention comprises: a first wrist element that, at the distal end of a front arm of a robot, is capable of rotating about a first axis following the longitudinal direction of the front arm; a second wrist element that, at the first wrist element, is capable of rotating about a second axis intersecting the first axis in a roughly perpendicular manner; a third wrist element that, at the second wrist element, is capable of rotating about a third axis extending from the intersection point of the first and second axes in a direction roughly perpendicular to the direction in which the second axis extends; a first gear that is attached to the third wrist element coaxially with the third axis and that is capable of rotating about the third axis; a second gear that is driven by rotation of the first gear due to meshing with the first gear and that is capable of rotating; and a case secured to the second wrist element. The second gear is attached to the case via a bearing so as to be capable of rotating about a fourth axis positioned at a prescribed distance relative to the third axis.

A parallel link device whose height can be reduced particularly when a movable-side member is brought closer to a fixed-side member, and in which an amount of stroke of the movable-side member can be increased. Specifically, the parallel link device includes a fixed-side member, a movable-side member, six links, and slide mechanisms. Each of the six links has one end connected to the movable-side member with at least two rotational degrees of freedom, and the other end connected to the fixed-side member with at least two rotational degrees of freedom. A connection point of the other end and the fixed-side member is movable with respect to the fixed-side member. Each of the six links has five rotational degrees of freedom and a predetermined length. Each of the slide mechanisms is provided on the fixed-side member and holds the other end of the link movable within a predetermined range.