A flexible drive manipulator according to an example embodiment may include a proximal portion, a plurality of joint portions drivably connected from an end of the proximal portion with respect to a longitudinal axis, a distal portion connected to an end of the plurality of joint portions, a pair of drive wires passing through the plurality of joint portions in parallel along the longitudinal axis, the pair of drive wires configured to drive the plurality of joint portions in a rotational direction of rotation with respect to a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a fixing wire passing through the plurality of joint portions in a shape of converging along the longitudinal axis, the fixing wire configured to adjust rigidity of the plurality of joint portions.

A light-based measurement system is capable of directing a light beam to a cooperative target used in conjunction with an aerial robot to accurately control the position of the end effector within a large volume working environment defined by a single coordinate system. By measuring the end effector while the device is in operation, the aerial robot control system can be adjusted in real time to correct for errors that are introduced through the design of the robot itself providing accuracy in the tens or hundreds of micron range. A separate coordination computer runs control software that communicates with both the laser tracker and the aerial robot. An action plan file is loaded by the software that defines the coordinate system of the working volume, the locations where actions need to be performed by the aerial robot, and the actions to be taken.

This invention relates to motion generators comprising: an end effector, a stationary support, a first set of elastic elements interconnecting the end effector and the stationary support; a set of tensile members; in which the end effector is supported within the stationary support by the elastic elements; and a set of actuators in which the motion generator further comprises at least six rockers each rocker being pivotally mounted at one end thereof on the stationary support, and each rocker having a free end; the set of tensile members comprising: at least six elongate tensile members, each elongate tensile member having one end connected to a rocker and the other end connected to one of a second set of elastic elements which are fixed; a set of connecting elements connecting each rocker to the end effector and in which each one of the set of tensile members is independently adjustably tensioned by an associated actuator to move the free end of the rocker, which rocker movement causes movement of a connected connecting element leading to movement of the end effector.

A 3D position and orientation calculation and robotic application structure using an inertial measuring unit and string—encoder positions sensors.

An automated mobile paint robot, according to particular embodiments, comprises: (1) a wheeled base; (2) at least one paint sprayer; (3) at least one pump; (4) a vision system; (5) a GPS navigation system; and (5) a computer controller configured to: (A) generate a room painting plan using one or more inputs from the GPS navigation system, vision system, etc.; (B) control movement of the automated mobile paint robot across a support surface: (C) use the vision system to position the wheeled base in a suitable position from which to paint a desired area using the at least one paint sprayer; and (D) use the at least one pump to activate the at least one paint sprayer to paint a swath (e.g., swatch) of paint from the suitable position.

A flexible-rope-driven hybrid spray painting robot mechanism includes a static platform framework, a flexible-rope-guided pulley train, flexible transmission ropes, a moving platform, and drive mechanisms. A moving platform casing is driven by eight flexible ropes in parallel, to realize three degrees of freedom of translation thereof. A spray gun is connected in series to the moving platform casing via a universal joint cross, and is driven by four flexible ropes in parallel, to realize two degrees of freedom of rotation thereof. Beneficial technical effect of the present invention: The flexible ropes are used in parallel to control three degrees of freedom of translation and two degrees of freedom of rotation of the end spray gun, achieving advantages of a small movement inertia and flexible movement. Electric drive devices are placed together in a bottom layer of the static platform framework and are isolated from a spraying space.

Provided is a control apparatus configured to control a parallel wire mechanism.

The control apparatus for a parallel wire apparatus configured to pull a movable portion with a plurality of wires decomposes a control model in which the movable portion is driven by a pair of opposed motors with use of the wires to a center of gravity mode in which a motor C is controlled to make the movable portion achieve desired acceleration and a relative mode in which a motor R is controlled to make an elastic force that acts on the wires constant, by mode decomposition, and performs coordinate transformation on an acceleration reference value for the motor C determined in the center of gravity mode and an acceleration reference value for the motor R determined in the relative mode, to thereby obtain an acceleration reference value for the pair of motors.

Cable-driven robotic platform systems and methods of operation are disclosed. The system includes a robotic platform suspended by a system of overhead cables, motorized cable reels and pulleys. A master control computer coordinates operation of the motorized cable system as a function of sensor data captured by navigation sensors on-board the platform so as to move the robotic platform inside an industrial plant. The system is configured to maneuver around pipings and avoid obstacles in the plant in order to maximize the effective workspace that the robotic platform can reach to perform operations including inspection or repair. Additionally, a robotic “wire jacket” device can be attached to suspension cables and configured to crawl along a cable. The wire-jacket can be selectively positioned on a cable to provide an intermediate cable suspension point that improves platform mobility within congested spaces and avoids obstacles.

The invention relates to a cable robot for creating a structure or manipulating a workpiece, comprising a working head which is suspended on a support structure having at least three support columns by a system of cables having at least three control cables, wherein cable winches are provided for adjusting the control cables relative to the support structure and/or relative to the working head, and they can be actuated by an electronic control device for moving the working head, wherein the support columns of the support structure are luffingly and/or telescopically arranged on a revolving stage, which has a ballast weight for absorbing a tilting moment introduced into the respective support column by the system of cables and which is arranged on an undercarriage such that it can rotate about an upright revolving stage axis, said undercarriage having a chassis and being configured such that it can move with the revolving stage and the downwardly luffing and/or retracted support column.

A method for parameterizing a photogrammetric cable robot, having a frame, a mobile platform carrying a camera and cables, each cable extending from a mobile platform attachment point to a position-adjustable exit point, while remaining linked to the frame. The robot's maximum workspace is defined by the ranges of possible positions of the different cable exit points. A set of pairs of setpoint positions and orientations of the platform is determined, for performing the point measurements of a scene by photogrammetry. Then, a genetic algorithm comprising crossing, transformation and selection operations is applied to a population of vectors, each representing respective positions of cable exit points, the selection being made via a fitness function involving a first objective function evaluating a collision percentage and a second objective function evaluating a percentage violation of a mobile platform constraint of equilibrium, when the platform assumes the different setpoint positions and orientations.