A modular structure may comprise multiple mechanical linkages. The structure may undergo two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape transformations, such as bending, twisting, shearing, uniform scaling, and anisotropic scaling. These shape transformations may be actuated by applying force to one or more specific locations in the structure. Each of the linkages in the modular structure may comprise a four-bar linkage. The exact shape transformation that the structure undergoes may be determined by the type and location of the linkages in the structure.

Disclosed are various embodiments of a three-dimensional perception and object manipulation robot gripper configured for connection to and operation in conjunction with a robot arm. In some embodiments, the gripper comprises a palm, a plurality of motors or actuators operably connected to the palm, a mechanical manipulation system operably connected to the palm, a plurality of fingers operably connected to the motors or actuators and configured to manipulate one or more objects located within a workspace or target volume that can be accessed by the fingers. A depth camera system is also operably connected to the palm. One or more computing devices are operably connected to the depth camera and are configured and programmed to process images provided by the depth camera system to determine the location and orientation of the one or more objects within a workspace, and in accordance therewith, provide as outputs therefrom control signals or instructions configured to be employed by the motors or actuators to control movement and operation of the plurality of fingers so as to permit the fingers to manipulate the one or more objects located within the workspace or target volume. The gripper can also be configured to vary controllably at least one of a force, a torque, a stiffness, and a compliance applied by one or more of the plurality of fingers to the one or more objects.

A manipulator for a surgical instrument may comprise an instrument holder coupled with the surgical instrument and rotatable in a plane that passes through a remote center. The manipulator may also comprise a linkage assembly coupled to the instrument holder to limit motion of the instrument holder to rotation about an axis that intersects the remote center. The linkage assembly may comprise a first linkage arm comprising first and second pulleys. Each pulley may comprise first and second drive tracks which are substantially co-planar. The first linkage arm may also comprise a first drive member section extending between the first drive tracks of the pulleys and a second drive member section extending between the second drive tracks of the pulleys. The first drive member section may be wound around the first pulley in a first direction and the second drive member section may be wound around the first pulley in an opposite direction.

Methods are provided for controlling a powered lower limb device. A stance phase control method is disclosed in which the required joint torque is determined based on the difference between two joint angles, such as the knee joint and the ankle joint. A swing control method is also disclosed that employs feedback-based minimum jerk trajectory control. A joint assembly for use in a modular lower limb device is also provided. The joint assembly includes a reconfigurable slider-crank mechanism that is configurable to provide a plurality of different ranges of rotational travel, rotational speeds, and torques, for customization according to different anatomical joints. The joint assembly may include a compact coupling device for coupling a ball screw of the slider-crank mechanism to an output shaft of a motor. When employed to form a modular orthosis, the joint assembly may be adapted for self-alignment as its length adjustment method during setup.

A control circuit for use with a robotic surgical system. The control circuit is configured to receive a parameter indicative of a rotary position of an articulation motor. The articulation motor is configured to drive an articulation joint of a robotic surgical tool, wherein the articulation motor is configured to move through a first range of positions and a second range of positions. The control circuit is further configured to implement a first operating state, and implement a second operating state when the parameter corresponds to a transition of the articulation motor from the first range of positions to the second range of positions. The control circuit is further configured to re-implement the first operating state when the parameter corresponds to a return of the articulation motor from the second range of positions into the first range of positions by a threshold anti-dither angle.

A robotic joint includes a first link, a middle link, a torque generator, a second link, and a locking mechanism. Different ends of the middle link are rotatably coupled to the first link and the second link. The torque generator is coupled to the first link and the middle link and is configured to produce a torque between these links. The locking mechanism is switchable between a locking state and an unlocking state. In the unlocking state, the locking mechanism allows free rotation of the second link relative to the middle link in the first and second rotation directions. In the locking state, the locking mechanism is configured to impede rotation of the second link relative to the middle link in the first rotation direction and to allow rotation of the second link relative to the middle link in the second rotation direction opposite of the first rotation direction.

This linear body supporting structure comprises: two links coupled to each other so as to be rotatable about a predetermined axis line; a linear body laid across the two links; and an elastic body that is directly or indirectly fixed to at least one of the two links at a position away from the axis line and that directly or indirectly supports the linear body.

An assembly of links and motorized joint unit comprises two or more links. The links have a tubular body, one or both ends of the tubular body being an open end. A motorized joint unit has a first portion received in the open end of the tubular body of a first of the links so as to be secured relative to the first of the links. A second portion is rotatable relative to the first portion by actuation of the motorized joint unit, the second portion received in the open end of the tubular body of a second of the links, the motorized joint unit secured relative to the second of the links. A protective sleeve has a tubular body mounted over part of the motorized joint unit to cover a gap between the first and the second of the links, the protective sleeve having a rigid annular member and a flexible annular member, the flexible annular member foldable onto the rigid annular member.

A parallel kinematic machine, PKM, comprising: a support platform (17a), a first support linkage (SL1); a second support linkage (SL2) and a third support linkage (SL3), wherein the first support linkage (SL1), the second support linkage (SL2) and the third support linkage (SL3) together comprises at least five support links (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13). The PKM further comprises: a tool base (140) comprising a shaft joint (24, 40, 41, 200, 202, 262a, 262b), a tool base shaft (19) and a tool platform (17b). The tool base shaft (19) is connected to the support platform (17a) via the shaft joint (24, 40, 41, 200, 202, 262a, 262b), and wherein the tool platform (17b) and the tool base shaft (19) are rigidly connected. The PKM also comprises one or more tool linkages (TL1, TL2, TL3) each comprising a tool link (26, 31; 29, 32; 38) connected at one end via a tool base joint (25, 28, 37) to the tool base (140), and at the other end connected via a tool carriage joint (27, 30, 39) to a carriage arranged for movement along a path; and wherein each tool linkage (TL1, TL2, TL3) is configured to rotate the tool base shaft (19) around at least one axis relative the support platform (17), by transferring a movement of the respective tool linkage (TL1, TL2, TL3) to the tool base shaft (19).

A robot includes a first link having a first longitudinal axis operatively coupled to a second link having a second longitudinal axis such that rotation of the first link relative to the second link alternatively performs the following effects: elongation of the first link; pivoting of the first longitudinal axis relative to the second longitudinal axis; and rotation of the first longitudinal axis relative to the second longitudinal axis.