The present invention discloses a distributed active/passive hybrid cable drive system, including a direct current motor, a magnetorheological actuator module, and a drive gear set. The direct current motor provides power for the system, the magnetorheological actuator adjusts output, a cable is driven to move by using a reel fixedly connected to an output shaft, the power is transmitted to a tail end by using the cable along a Bowden cable, and the tail end is connected to a controlled object, to implement control. The distributed active/passive hybrid cable drive system can implement controllable force output with large torque, small inertia, and high bandwidth, and has a small volume, high efficiency, and low costs compared with a pure motor drive system.

Devices, systems and methods of performing a surface operation on a building are provided. The device comprises a plurality of cables removably coupled to a surface of a building, tower or bridge, each of the plurality of cables removably coupled at a different position on the surface; and a body coupled to the plurality of cables at an intersection of the plurality of cables. A length of each cable between the respective position on the surface and the body is automatically adjustable and a tension in each cable is maintained to move the body on the surface. The devices, systems, and methods can be used on buildings, tower, or bridges with complex geometries or irregular surfaces to for example, automatically clean the surface of the building.

The present invention discloses a distributed active/passive hybrid cable drive system, including a direct current motor, a magnetorheological actuator module, and a drive gear set. The direct current motor provides power for the system, the magnetorheological actuator adjusts output, a cable is driven to move by using a reel fixedly connected to an output shaft, the power is transmitted to a tail end by using the cable along a Bowden cable, and the tail end is connected to a controlled object, to implement control. The distributed active/passive hybrid cable drive system can implement controllable force output with large torque, small inertia, and high bandwidth, and has a small volume, high efficiency, and low costs compared with a pure motor drive system.

The application relates to a smart cabinet. The smart cabinet includes a cabinet body, a moving module, a controlling module and an assisting module. The moving module is positioned in the cabinet body; the controlling module is connected to the moving module. The moving module includes a base, a guiding wheel group disposed on the base, a plurality of drivers pivotally connected with the guiding wheel group, and a manipulator disposed on the base. The controlling module includes an input control unit, a guiding rope, and a pulley group. The input control module is electrically connected with the drivers and the manipulator. The pulley group includes a plurality of pulleys defining a movement range for the moving module. The assisting module includes a rope retractor and a sensor electrically coupled to the rope retractor. Two ends of the guiding rope are coupled to the rope retractor.

Method for detecting a change in the environment near at least one portion of a hoisting, traction or boundary cable which conducts electricity. The change in the environment is linked to the relative movement of at least one person, animal or object with respect to the portion. The method includes the step of detecting a variation in the capacitance of the portion. The variation is representative of the movement.

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.

An aerial movement system and method for calibrating same includes, generally, registration points and wireless position transceivers proximate the registration points and the object that communicate with a computer and allow for the computer to determine the appropriate amount of support lines to draw in or release.

A cable-driven robot has a base, a platform movable with respect to the base, a plurality of motors mounted on the base, and a plurality of movement cables of the platform each fixed at a first end at a respective fixing point to the platform and at a second end thereof to a respective motor. The robot further includes a shaft rotatably mounted on the platform, a supplementary movement cable, and a supplementary activating motor mounted at a respective position on the base. The supplementary movement cable is fixed, at a first end, to the supplementary activating motor and is wound with a portion of its length on the shaft.

A robotic sensor and manipulation platform for farming is disclosed, having a robotic base and one or more exchangeable robotic sensing and manipulation tips deployable from the robotic base to commanded positions in a plant growth area. The robotic sensing and manipulation tips having a plurality of sensors adapted to detect and monitor plant health and growth conditions, and a computer-based control system configured analyze sensor data and provide analyzed results to the farmer or producer.

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.