A robotic arm comprising an operation end, a base, a sensor unit and a control unit is provided. The operation end is connected to the base, and the operation end is configured to reach an operational area. The sensor unit provides a sensor signal according to the force applied by or the motion of an operator. When the operation end reaches the operational area, the control unit sets a fixed position on the robotic arm between the base and the operation end. When the sensor signal from the operator fulfills a default condition, the control unit moves the robotic arm away from the operator, without moving the fixed position on the robotic arm.

A spherical joint of the present disclosure includes a ball member and a socket having an inner circumferential surface configured to spherically contact the ball member. The socket includes a cage part forming the inner circumferential surface and having an opening, and a bar-shaped connecting part provided to the cage part. A fastening member is disposed at the cage part so as to reduce a space of the opening in the extending direction of the connecting part and such that a gap is formed between the fastening member and the ball member. The opening is formed in a part of the inner circumferential surface other than a part where the largest load is applied.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards robotic systems and methods. The robot may include an end effector, a tool flange of the robot, and a joint. The end effector may include a contacting part configured to contact a workpiece. The joint may be positioned between, and connected to, the tool flange and the end effector. The joint may include a variable angle between the tool flange and the end effector.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards robotic systems and methods. The robot may include an end effector, a tool flange of the robot, and a joint. The end effector may include a contacting part configured to contact a workpiece. The joint may be positioned between, and connected to, the tool flange and the end effector. The joint may include a variable angle between the tool flange and the end effector.

A control system for a continuum robot including at least one curvable unit driven by a wire and configured to be curvable, and a driving unit driving the wire includes: a position control unit performing control so that an error between a target displacement of push-pull driving of the wire by the driving unit and a displacement of a wire holding mechanism holding the wire obtained from a continuum robot is compensated; a force control unit performing control so that an error between a target generated force corresponding to a target tension of the wire output from the position control unit and a generated force corresponding to a tension of the wire obtained from the continuum robot is compensated; and wherein a first loop control system including the force control unit and a second loop control system including the position control unit.

A surgical mount system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a bed mount, a tubular base attached to the bed mount and comprising a telescoping member slidably coupled with the tubular base, the telescoping member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is disposed inside the tubular base, and wherein the telescoping member translates linearly along an axis of the tubular base; and a support arm attached to the second end of the telescoping member, the support arm having a length running from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the support arm rotates relative to the bed mount about the axis of the tubular base.

A surgical mount system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a bed mount, a tubular base attached to the bed mount and comprising a telescoping member slidably coupled with the tubular base, the telescoping member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is disposed inside the tubular base, and wherein the telescoping member translates linearly along an axis of the tubular base; and a support arm attached to the second end of the telescoping member, the support arm having a length running from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the support arm rotates relative to the bed mount about the axis of the tubular base.

An actuator includes a casing, an output disc, a transmission component, a cable, a power source, and a tension adjustment assembly. The output disc and the transmission component are rotatably disposed on the casing. The cable is disposed through the transmission component and connected to the output disc. The power source can drive the transmission component. The tension adjustment assembly includes a lever, an elastic component, and a slidable component. The lever has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The first end is connected to the cable. The elastic component is connected to the casing and the second end of the lever. The slidable component is in contact with a portion of the lever located between the first end and the second end, and is slidable along the lever to change its position to adjust a tension of the cable.

A handling apparatus has an arm having a joint; a holding portion attached to the arm and configured to hold an object; a sensor configured to detect a plurality of the objects; and a control apparatus configured to control the arm and the holding portion, wherein the control apparatus is configured to calculate an ease of holding the object by the holding portion as a score based on information acquired by the sensor with respect to each object and each holding method, select the object to hold and the holding method according to the score, and calculate a position for holding the selected object and an orientation of the arm.

A handling apparatus has an arm having a joint; a holding portion attached to the arm and configured to hold an object; a sensor configured to detect a plurality of the objects; and a control apparatus configured to control the arm and the holding portion, wherein the control apparatus is configured to calculate an ease of holding the object by the holding portion as a score based on information acquired by the sensor with respect to each object and each holding method, select the object to hold and the holding method according to the score, and calculate a position for holding the selected object and an orientation of the arm.