Extension tools and methods of inserting extension tools within components are provided. For example, an extension tool has a proximal end and a distal end and comprises a plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable relative to one another and a support member defining the distal end and including a first wheel disposed at the distal end and a second wheel spaced apart from the first wheel. Additionally, or alternatively, an extension tool may comprise a plurality of windows defined in the plurality of sequentially arranged links. The windows are defined periodically along the plurality of sequentially arranged links such that a periodicity of the widows corresponds to a periodicity of a plurality of features of the component.

Extension tools and methods of inserting extension tools within components are provided. For example, an extension tool has a proximal end and a distal end and comprises a plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable relative to one another and a support member defining the distal end and including a first wheel disposed at the distal end and a second wheel spaced apart from the first wheel. Additionally, or alternatively, an extension tool may comprise a plurality of windows defined in the plurality of sequentially arranged links. The windows are defined periodically along the plurality of sequentially arranged links such that a periodicity of the widows corresponds to a periodicity of a plurality of features of the component.

A robotic system for fueling or charging a vehicle having a vehicle connector, the robotic system including a robotic arm having a plurality of sequentially arranged articulated links and at least one group of operating cables extending from a proximal end of the arm to terminate at a control link, for controlling the position of that link, the cables each having a path comprising a passage in each successive more proximal link for closely receiving the cable, a flexible conduit operably connected with the robotic arm for delivering a fluid or an electrical current, respectively, to a vehicle, the conduit being connected to a source at a first end and a delivery connector at a second end, and a control system for operating the robotic arm and the hose or cable, wherein the control system directs the robotic arm to engage the vehicle connector with the delivery connector and, upon engagement of the vehicle connector and delivery connector, the control system relaxes the robotic arm to an under-constrained condition.

An end-effector for a hoist includes a drive and an articulating arm. The articulating arm includes support disks, control cables extending through the support disks, and a hoist cable extending through the support disks. The drive includes an actuator connected to one of the control cables. The actuator deploys and retracts the control cables, thereby displacing the articulating arm from an end-effector axis. The drive also includes a stabilizer mounted on a drive housing, the stabilizer generates a stabilizing moment in response to the articulating arm displacing from the end-effector axis.

A robotic system includes a main drive unit, a non-actuated extendable arm unit an axial drive unit, an arm guidance member, and a head articulation unit. The unit includes a mounting structure, and an arm storage unit coupled to the mounting structure. The arm unit is coupled to the arm storage unit to be moved axially in a lateral plane from the arm storage unit. The arm unit is flexible and thin in the lateral plane, and rigid and wide in a vertical plane. The unit may be coupled to the arm storage unit to enable axial extension and retraction of the unit. The head articulation unit is coupled to the arm unit to actuate thereto.

A robotic system includes a main drive unit, a non-actuated extendable arm unit an axial drive unit, an arm guidance member, and a head articulation unit. The unit includes a mounting structure, and an arm storage unit coupled to the mounting structure. The arm unit is coupled to the arm storage unit to be moved axially in a lateral plane from the arm storage unit. The arm unit is flexible and thin in the lateral plane, and rigid and wide in a vertical plane. The unit may be coupled to the arm storage unit to enable axial extension and retraction of the unit. The head articulation unit is coupled to the arm unit to actuate thereto.

A robotic assembly for servicing equipment, the robotic assembly including an area configured to receive components associated with a workscope of the equipment; an environmental capture device configured to capture information associated with an environment in which the robotic assembly is disposed; and one or more computing devices configured to: locate the equipment in the environment; autonomously navigate the robotic assembly through the environment to the equipment; and autonomously adjust a position of the robotic assembly in response to the workscope.

A robotic assembly for servicing equipment, the robotic assembly including an area configured to receive components associated with a workscope of the equipment; an environmental capture device configured to capture information associated with an environment in which the robotic assembly is disposed; and one or more computing devices configured to: locate the equipment in the environment; autonomously navigate the robotic assembly through the environment to the equipment; and autonomously adjust a position of the robotic assembly in response to the workscope.

A locking system for a continuum arm robot system, the robot system includes: a continuum arm robot having a manipulatable tip, a passive robot section through which controls for the manipulatable tip, and at least one ferromagnetic collar, and at least one external controllable electromagnetic device which can be activated so that the ferromagnetic section on the continuum arm robot is attracted to the electromagnetic device.

A rigid link for a flexible robot, the rigid link including a rigid link body having a hollow core, the rigid link with at least two arms having proximal and distal ends, the arms are connected to the rigid link body, and wherein the arms being deployable between a closed configuration in which the proximal and distal ends of the arms are positioned proximate to the rigid link body and open configuration in which the arms are moved so that the distal ends of the arms are positioned away from the body of the rigid link.