An actuator (1) is described having a first part (4), a second part (2), and a body portion (3) between the first and second parts, wherein the body portion includes at least one chamber (14) configured to be pressurised and the body portion has a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of cables (6,7,8,9), wherein each of the plurality of cables is arranged in a respective at least partial spiral with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body portion (3); and wherein the plurality of cables are arranged such that the application of a selected force to at least one of the cables causes a desired movement of the first part relative to the second part.

The present disclosure generally relates to 3D-architected soft machines with topologically encoded actuation, and methods of making and using the 3D-architected soft machines.

An autonomous mobile robot includes a flexible member including a polymer layer extending along an entire length of the flexible member, and an end portion vertically movable away from a body of the robot. A first portion of a fastening mechanism extends along a first lateral edge of the polymer layer and a second portion of the fastening mechanism extends along a second lateral edge of the polymer layer. The first portion of the fastening mechanism is attached to the second portion of the fastening mechanism and forms a conduit to support the image capture device. The conduit includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and the outer surface of the conduit is at least partially defined by the polymer layer. An image capture device is mounted to an end portion of the flexible member.

A skin or skin system for a robot or robotics assembly is provided that includes one or more integral elastomeric links (or bars) (IELs) that are configured for receiving and connection with coupling elements or members (e.g., pivot pins) at the ends of mechanical links/bars. The IELs are also configured to act as a final link of a mechanical linkage made up of these mechanical links to provide a closed chain. For example, the body of each of the IELs, or a portion of the IEL body extending between connection points with the coupling elements of the links/bars of the mechanical linkage, provides a final link in a mechanical linkage forming a closed chain to allow it properly function.

An apparatus including a plurality of robot arm links movably connected to one another, where a first one of the robot arm links includes a frame, where the frame has a first end movably connected onto a second one of the robot arm links; and at least one vibration damper arrangement on the frame of the first robot arm link, where the at least one vibration damper arrangement includes at least one viscoelastic element connected to the frame of the first robot arm link by a connection such that, as the frame of the first robot arm link experiences vibrations, the at least one viscoelastic element dampens the vibrations in the frame of the first robot arm link based upon viscoelasticity and the connection of the at least one viscoelastic element to the frame of the first robot arm link.

A vacuum substrate transport apparatus including a frame, a drive section having a drive axis, at least one arm, having an end effector for holding a substrate, having at least one degree of freedom axis effecting extension and retraction, and a bearing defining a guideway that defines the axis, the bearing including at least one rolling load bearing element disposed in a bearing case, interfacing between a bearing raceway and bearing rail to support arm loads, and effecting sliding of the case along the rail, and at least one rolling, substantially non-load bearing, spacer element disposed in the case, intervening between each of the load bearing elements, wherein the spacer element is a sacrificial buffer material compatible with sustained substantially unrestricted service commensurate with a predetermined service duty of the apparatus in a vacuum environment at temperatures over 260 C. for a specified predetermined service period.

A connection structure in which a robot link member including a first wall, a second wall facing the first wall with an interval, and a connecting wall connecting the first wall and the second wall is connected with a member to be connected contacting a surface of the first wall of the link member, which does not face the second wall, the connection structure includes a bolt penetrating the first and second walls and including a head part contacting the second wall and a screw part screwed into the member to be connected, and a deformation preventing member sandwiched between the first and second walls by tightening the bolt to prevent or reduce deformation of the walls in a direction in which the walls become closer to each other.

The present disclosure relates to a gripper of motor vehicle bodywork parts. The gripper may include a main body and plastic extensions extending from the main body. The plastic extensions may be configured to grip a bodywork part. Each extension may include a main portion and means for connection the main portion to at least one sucker of an air suction device. The main portion and the connection means may be made in one piece.

The present invention involves a cover for a spraying device of a robot which is formed from a polymer with enhanced residue retention properties. The polymer may be processed to increase the surface energy of the polymer. For example, the polymer may be subjected to a corona treatment in order to increase its surface energy. The corona treatment process may be performed on the polymer as received, prior to cutting or otherwise manipulating the polymer. Also, the polymer may be embossed to provide the enhancement. To assemble the polymer into a robot cover, the polymer as received may be cut into individual sections for assembly. The sections may then be assembled to one another by heat sealing the sections together. The heat sealing provides a bond between the individual sections of polymer that secures the individual sections together to create the robot cover. The polymer may also be formed into tubular sections for securing to the spraying device.

For the purpose of achieving a further reduction in weight while maintaining strength and of reducing the manufacturing cost, the present invention provides a robot arm including: a long cylindrical arm body; and mounting interface portions that are fixed at both sides of the arm body and that are used to mount the robot arm to another member. At least sections of outer surfaces of the arm body and the mounting interface portions are formed of a resin. A first part that has one of the mounting interface portions and a section of the arm body and a second part that has the other one of the mounting interface portions and a section of the arm body are joined to each other.