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.

A continuum arm robot comprising: a tool, a tip section comprising a number of sections a manipulatable robotic section having multiple degrees of freedom, a stiffening section comprising a passive core with an inflatable section surrounding the passive core and a valve for allowing a fluid into the inflatable outer; and a passive section comprising a length of flexible conduit, wherein the core of the passive section and the stiffening section contain the cables for manipulating the tip section and the fluid conduit for supplying the fluid to the inflatable outer.

A continuum arm robot comprising: a tool, a tip section comprising a number of sections a manipulatable robotic section having multiple degrees of freedom, a stiffening section comprising a passive core with an inflatable section surrounding the passive core and a valve for allowing a fluid into the inflatable outer; and a passive section comprising a length of flexible conduit, wherein the core of the passive section and the stiffening section contain the cables for manipulating the tip section and the fluid conduit for supplying the fluid to the inflatable outer.

A manipulator, including: a drive unit for generating a driving force, and a treatment tool that is driven by the drive unit and attachable to and detachable from the drive unit, wherein the treatment tool includes: a distal end having at least one joint driven by the drive unit, a lock unit that is actuated to lock at least one of joints at the distal end, a lock-operating unit for operating the lock unit, and a control unit that is operated such that the lock unit is operated by the lock-operating unit and such that when the drive unit is driven, the drive unit is deactivated, and even with the treatment tool detached from the drive unit, the lock unit keeps on with locking.

A manipulator, including: a drive unit for generating a driving force, and a treatment tool that is driven by the drive unit and attachable to and detachable from the drive unit, wherein the treatment tool includes: a distal end having at least one joint driven by the drive unit, a lock unit that is actuated to lock at least one of joints at the distal end, a lock-operating unit for operating the lock unit, and a control unit that is operated such that the lock unit is operated by the lock-operating unit and such that when the drive unit is driven, the drive unit is deactivated, and even with the treatment tool detached from the drive unit, the lock unit keeps on with locking.

A manipulator includes: an operating unit, and a bending assembly that is bent by operation of the operating unit, wherein: the bending assembly includes: a first link member having a first arc portion, a second link member having a second arc portion, an intermediate link member that includes a first intermediate arc portion and a second intermediate arc portion in opposition to the first intermediate arc portion, and is mounted between the first link member and the second link member.

A multi-joint arm mechanism includes an arm supporting member a first, second and third joints. The third joint has a linear extension and retraction axis. The third joint includes flat-shaped first structures bendably coupled to one another, second structures having a C-shaped section and bendably coupled to one another, a supporting member supporting the stiffened first and second structures, and a drive member sending and drawing the stiffened first and second structures. The first and the second structures are linearly stiffened by being in contact with each other and return to a bent state by being separated from each other. The second structures are bent toward the bottom parts and conveyed into the arm supporting member. The first structures are bent in a same direction as the second structures and conveyed into the arm supporting member. The first structures are stored in the arm supporting member along the second structures.

A multi-joint arm mechanism includes an arm supporting member a first, second and third joints. The third joint has a linear extension and retraction axis. The third joint includes flat-shaped first structures bendably coupled to one another, second structures having a C-shaped section and bendably coupled to one another, a supporting member supporting the stiffened first and second structures, and a drive member sending and drawing the stiffened first and second structures. The first and the second structures are linearly stiffened by being in contact with each other and return to a bent state by being separated from each other. The second structures are bent toward the bottom parts and conveyed into the arm supporting member. The first structures are bent in a same direction as the second structures and conveyed into the arm supporting member. The first structures are stored in the arm supporting member along the second structures.

A modular multi-hinge retractable rigid-flexible coupling space manipulator based on origami structure includes a plurality of folding units and a manipulator base. The modular design idea is adopted for the manipulator; which is formed by combining multiple folding units. the driving motors installed on each folding unit drive the folding units to stretch out, draw back and fold over, so that the manipulator can stretch out and draw back flexibly and bend in any direction to complete the work tasks in a variety of complex environments. For the manipulator, the flexible materials are added to the links of the folding units, and deformation can be effectively compensated, the mechanism is simplified, and impact is relieved. The torsional spring is additionally arranged in the folding units to play a supporting role, so that the manipulator can be placed in forward or in inverted direction to match with various bases. The angle sensor is fixedly connected to the rotating pair formed by the chassis and the folding unit, and the rotating speed of the manipulator is monitored to avoid large impact or damage.

A modular multi-hinge retractable rigid-flexible coupling space manipulator based on origami structure includes a plurality of folding units and a manipulator base. The modular design idea is adopted for the manipulator; which is formed by combining multiple folding units. the driving motors installed on each folding unit drive the folding units to stretch out, draw back and fold over, so that the manipulator can stretch out and draw back flexibly and bend in any direction to complete the work tasks in a variety of complex environments. For the manipulator, the flexible materials are added to the links of the folding units, and deformation can be effectively compensated, the mechanism is simplified, and impact is relieved. The torsional spring is additionally arranged in the folding units to play a supporting role, so that the manipulator can be placed in forward or in inverted direction to match with various bases. The angle sensor is fixedly connected to the rotating pair formed by the chassis and the folding unit, and the rotating speed of the manipulator is monitored to avoid large impact or damage.