A positioning device, comprising a base element, a carrier element to be positioned relative to the base element along a z-axis as well as at least one first and one second slide element, wherein the first or second slide element on the one hand is disposed displaceably by means of a first or second base guide device along a first or second base line on the base element and on the other hand by means of a first or second ascent guide device along a first or second ascent line on the carrier element, wherein the first or second ascent line and the first or second base line run in a projection along the z-axis parallel to one another and with respectively constant different angles of inclination relative to the z-axis, and wherein the first and the second ascent guide device are arranged with respect to one another in such a manner that in at least one projection perpendicular to the z-axis, the first and the second ascent line are inclined opposite to one another relative to the z-axis. It is provided that for the synchronous displacement of the first and second slide element the positioning device comprises at least one drive device which comprises a rotary drive having an axis of rotation parallel to the z-axis and a coupling element, wherein the coupling element couples the rotary drive to the first and/or second slide element in such a manner that a rotational movement of the rotary drive causes a synchronous displacement of the first and second displacement element along the respective base lines.

An example device may include a rounded outer incline ramp and a rounded inner incline ramp surrounding a central axis. The rounded inner incline ramp and the rounded outer incline ramp may be inversely aligned relative to the central axis. The device may also include a piston carrier oriented in a direction parallel to the central axis. The piston carrier may include a first piston including a first roller positioned on the two ramps at a first point, where the first piston is configured to act on the two ramps in a direction parallel to the central axis. The piston carrier may also include a second piston including a second roller positioned on the two ramps at a second point opposite the first point, where the second piston is configured to act on the two ramps in a direction parallel to the central axis.

A positioning device, comprising a base element, a carrier element to be positioned relative to the base element along a z-axis as well as at least one first, second, third and fourth slide element, wherein the first, second, third or fourth slide element on the one hand is disposed displaceably by means of a first, second, third or fourth base guide device along a first, second, third or fourth base line on the base element and on the other hand by means of a first, second, third or fourth ascent guide device along a first, second, third or fourth ascent line on the carrier element, wherein the first, second, third or fourth ascent line and the first, second, third or fourth base line run in a projection along the z-axis parallel to one another and with respectively constant different angles of inclination relative to the z-axis. It is provided that the first, second, third and fourth ascent guide device are arranged with respect to one another in such a manner that respectively in at least one projection perpendicular to the z-axis, the first and the second ascent line or the third and fourth ascent line, respectively, are inclined opposite to one another relative to the z-axis so that a synchronous displacement of the first, second, third and fourth slide element relative to the base element brings about a displacement of the carrier element relative to the base element exclusively along the z-axis.

A modular robotic snake-arm assembly is described which is animated principally by an articulated drive shaft that threads the length of the snake-arm. The articulated drive shaft is driven by a motor in the fixed base. One or more clutch mechanisms in each segment couple with the articulated drive shaft so as to cause all snake arms further from the base to reorient in either one or two angles, in either direction. Snake-arm segments can be coupled end-to-end to form a robotic snake arm of great length.

An orthopedic device for at least one upper extremity, the device comprising at least one positioning element that has at least two movement elements which can be moved one relative to another in a first direction, wherein a movement of the movement elements relative to one another in a first direction encounters a resistance and the device comprises a control unit configured to adjust this resistance depending on the position and/or the location of the head of the wearer of the device.

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 grinding device for grinding a workpiece comprises: a main frame that rotates about a rotary shaft and is able to move in parallel on a horizontal plane vertically intersecting an axial direction; a first swingable frame that is disposed so as to be spaced from the main frame in the axial direction and is swingably mounted to the main frame; a pitch feed frame that is mounted to the first. swingable frame so as to be able to move in parallel on a horizontal plane intersecting the axial direction; and a second swingable frame that is swingably mounted to the pitch feed frame.

Apparatus and methods that can be used to stabilize the distal end of an arm (and an end effector attached thereto) of an automated extended-reach tool-equipped assembly. Stabilization is provided by three or more stabilizers, each comprising a stationary part and a movable part. Each stationary part has a fixed location relative to the end effector; each movable part is translatably coupled to a respective stationary part and comprises a contactor disposed at a distal end of the movable part. When the stabilizers are actuated, the contactors are translated toward and into contact with the surface of the workpiece and then locked in place to stabilize the distal end of the arm and the end effector. During tool operation, the stabilizers reduce oscillation of the end effector (and all structure fixedly coupled thereto).

An exoskeleton includes a first link that pivots in a transverse plane about a first vertical axis and a second link that pivots in a transverse plane about a second vertical axis. The second link is coupled to the first link. An arm support assembly is coupled to the second link and pivots about a horizontal axis. The arm support assembly includes a spring that generates an assistive torque that counteracts gravity. The arm support assembly provides the assistive torque to an arm of a wearer to support the arm of the wearer. The arm support assembly further includes a cam profile and a cam follower. Contact between the spring, cam follower and cam profile determines an amount of the assistive force provided by the arm support assembly. A cuff is coupled to the arm support assembly and the arm of the wearer.

An exoskeleton includes a first link that pivots in a transverse plane about a first vertical axis and a second link that pivots in a transverse plane about a second vertical axis. The second link is coupled to the first link. An arm support assembly is coupled to the second link and pivots about a horizontal axis. The arm support assembly includes a spring that generates an assistive torque that counteracts gravity. The arm support assembly provides the assistive torque to an arm of a wearer to support the arm of the wearer. The arm support assembly further includes a cam profile and a cam follower. Contact between the spring, cam follower and cam profile determines an amount of the assistive force provided by the arm support assembly. A cuff is coupled to the arm support assembly and the arm of the wearer.