An Antenna Positioning System for missile seeker and system development and test comprises an antenna module, and a plurality of tethers, wherein the antenna module is suspended in a position by the tethers and the position is capable of being changed and the antenna module manoeuvred by pulling at least one tether and simultaneously releasing at least one tether. The system is useful for testing and developing Radio Frequency (RF) missile technology in a controlled, simulated environment rather than by live missile firings.

A suspension cable robot is provided, its stability can be improved by using at least three groups of three cables arranged in a parallelogram manner. The ability to remain stable when subjected to forces acting on the robot platform or end effector is thereby significantly increased. The cable robot can be moved by cables to different working locations.

A cable-driven parallel robot (CDPR) includes at least two sets of rotors each coupled to a respective one of at least two supports. The sets of the rotors are positioned above a surface, an effector is positioned at a horizontal planar location between the sets of the rotors and at a vertical location above the surface. At least two sets of cables each have cables coupled to a respective one of the sets of the rotors at first ends of the respective set of the cables and to an effector at second ends of the respective set of the cables. Each set of the sets of rotors is configured to control tension to the respective one set of the sets of cables for moving the horizontal planar location. Each set of the sets of rotors is vertically movable on the respective one of the supports for moving the vertical location when the sets of rotors are vertically moved, e.g., moved synchronously.

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.

Autonomous systems for control of heavy object tumbling and related methods are generally described. In some embodiments, the autonomous system may include one or more tethers connected to a heavy object, each tether position and location controlled by one or more actuators. The control system may include one or more processors in communication with the actuators to maintain constant quasi-static control of the heavy object during a tumbling process, in which the object is manipulated (e.g., rotated about an axis relative to a supporting surface) to provide access to alternate faces of the object. In some embodiments, the control system may reduce the risk of uncontrollable tumbling by alternating between position and tension control of the tethers depending on the orientation of the object and/or progression of the tumbling process.

The present disclosure discloses a bearing-type twin-pivot continuum robot, including: an actuating device, used for driving a continuum manipulator through a driving cable such that the continuum manipulator performs a bending motion; a continuum manipulator, connected with the actuating device through the driving cable, the continuum manipulator comprising M sections, adjacent sections being able to be deflected, and the continuum manipulator performing the bending motion under the driving of the actuating device; and a linear slide module, disposed at the bottom of the actuating device, the linear slide module having a predetermined feed slide in a feed direction such that the actuating device performs a feed motion within the predetermined slide. The above continuum robot greatly improves the resistance to torsion of the manipulator by adopting a rigid-compliant coupling mode, and creatively introduces a micro-bearing design that avoids adverse effects due to friction between conventional rigid hinges.

The cable-driven robot (100) comprises: a base structure (1); a plurality of cables (C; C1); a movable element (EM) which is maintained suspended by means of the plurality of cables (C; C1); a movement system (2) for moving the cables (C; C1), and thus for moving the movable operating element (EM) in space, comprising a plurality of winding elements (4) of the cables (C; C1) which are activatable in rotation for winding/unwinding the cables (C, C1). At least a cable (C1) of the plurality of cables (C; C1) is realised in such a way as to comprise a central core (5) and an outer cladding jacket (6). The central core (5) is made of a conductive material so as to enable the transmission of electrical current and/or a command signal to an end of the cable (C1) connected to the movable element (EM), while the outer cladding jacket (6) is made of a braided synthetic material so as provide the cable (C1) with resistance to traction and flexion loads.

A suspension cable robot is provided, its stability can be improved by using at least three groups of three cables arranged in a parallelogram manner. The ability to remain stable when subjected to forces acting on the robot platform or end effector is thereby significantly increased.

A positioning device includes a planar surface, a mobile platform configured to slide along the planar surface and cables for positioning and moving the mobile platform along the planar surface. The mobile platform includes a planar bearing system located at the side of the mobile platform configured to slide along the planar surface. The planar bearing system includes a component for pushing the mobile platform against the planar surface; and a component for allowing sliding of the planar bearing system with respect to the planar surface.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) model of an operating volume for a cable-suspended robotic system, where the operating volume is defined, at least in part, by a plurality of cable support structures. Identifying a cable positioned device suspended from a plurality of cables and an object that obstructs a path of the cable positioned device within the operating volume within the 3D model. Locating the cable positioned device relative to the object using the 3D model. Controlling one or more cable motors to navigate the cable positioned device within the operating volume.