Disclosed is multimaterial 3D printing (MM3P) to fabricate centimeter-scale robots by utilizing soft materials to create soft joints to replace revolute joints and also soft links to replace rigid links. A three-spring rotational-prismatic rotational (RPR) model is developed to approximate the motion of soft joints or links, which is further utilized to numerically predict the motion of the leg mechanism with multiple soft joints and links. The accuracy of the proposed numerical method is validated with experimental results. A functional walking robot actuated by a single DC motor is demonstrated.

A manipulator for articulating a surgical instrument may comprise an instrument holder configured to couple with the surgical instrument and to pivot about a remote center of motion. The manipulator may comprise a linkage assembly coupled to the instrument holder and configured to constrain rotational motion of the instrument holder to pivot about the remote center of motion. The linkage assembly may comprise a first, second, and third linkage arms. The second linkage arm may be rotatably coupled to the first linkage arm with a proximal end of the first linkage arm and a proximal end of the second linkage arm coupled at a proximal pivot joint. A third linkage arm may be translationally coupled to the second linkage arm. Movement of the second linkage arm and the third linkage arm may cause a distal end of the third linkage arm to trace an arc around the remote center of motion.

In accordance with an embodiment, the invention provides an end effector for use with a programmable motion device. The end effector includes a pair of mutually opposing surfaces, at least one of the pair of mutually opposing surfaces being movable with respect to an end effector support structure for supporting the at least one of the pair of mutually opposing surfaces.

An energy storing assistive mechanism includes a barrel having a first pivot end and an open end, a rod having a first end that passes through the open end and is received in the barrel, an elastic structure including two ends that abut against the first end of the rod and the first pivot end, a uni-directional gear rack having a second pivot end away from the barrel, and a locking mechanism fixed to the rod, the locking mechanism comprising a locking member and an actuator assembly that is to drive the locking member to move between a first position where the locking member is engaged with the gear rack, and a second position where the locking member is disengaged from the gear rack.

A surgical instrument may comprise a chassis, a shaft coupled to the chassis at the proximal end of the shaft, an end effector coupled to the shaft at the distal end of the shaft, a force transmission mechanism coupled to the chassis, and an actuation element connected between a lever arm of the force transmission mechanism and the end effector. The force transmission mechanism includes a worm drive, and the lever arm comprising a first end and a follower member at the first end of the lever arm, wherein the follower member is engaged with the worm drive and is configured to be driven by the worm drive. Rotational movement of the worm drive imparts translational movement to the actuation element via the lever arm, and the lever arm slides along a generally linear direction relative to the chassis to impart the translational movement to the actuation element.

In accordance with an embodiment, the invention provides an end effector for use with a programmable motion device. The end effector includes a pair of mutually opposing surfaces, at least one of the pair of mutually opposing surfaces being movable with respect to an end effector support structure for supporting the at least one of the pair of mutually opposing surfaces.

A gripping device has at least one tendon associated with a gripping arm and guided in a freely slidable manner along a first and second arm portion thereof through a succession of guiding elements. The guiding elements associated with a first proximal arm portion of the arms are carried by an inner yielding panel so that when the inner yielding panel on the inner side of the first proximal arm portion engages against an item or component to be gripped, the guiding elements of the tendon carried by the inner yielding panel cause a tensioning of the tendon, which results in an articulation and/or inflection movement of a second distal arm portion with respect to the first proximal arm portion.

An embodiment apparatus includes a wire unit surrounding a shoulder of a wearer, a clutch unit penetrated by the wire unit and disposed on a route along which the wire unit extends, and a support unit having a first side rotatably connected to the clutch unit and a second side supporting an elbow of the wearer.

An exoskeleton system for assisting an operator in exerting efforts includes a frame having one or more degrees of freedom and supporting a compensation device arranged to provide assistive forces to a joint of the operator. The compensation device comprises a regulation device arranged to adjust a degree of tension in an elastic mechanism. The compensation device comprises a rotational stop assembly comprising both extension and flexion stops to define an allowed degree of motion of the compensation device, the rotational stop assembly provided with a safety lock for preventing movement in the compensation device.

This disclosure relates generally to a mobile robotic manipulator with telepresence system which includes a chassis assembly, a tilting arm assembly, and a rotary gripper assembly. The chassis assembly includes a chassis plate which mounts plurality of drive motors coupled with plurality of omni wheels through plurality of L mounting brackets; plurality of anti-toppling arms includes a plurality of linear guides which is mounted on a C mount plate; and plurality of linear actuators is mounted to expand or retract the plurality of anti-toppling arms. The tilting arm assembly includes a bottom fixed end of a front long actuator is mounted to a large rotating plate through plurality of C clamps. The rotary gripper assembly includes a top plate of a gripper is mounted and separated by gap with a bottom plate of the gripper to place a gripper actuator on top surface of the bottom plate of the gripper.