Various stabilization devices for a robotic end of arm tool, such as a robotic gripper, are described. The stabilization device is provided in a palm area of the end of arm tool and serves as a backstop against which actuators of the end of arm tool can push a compliant or slick target object. The stabilization device may take many any of a variety of shapes, depending on the application. Based on the shape of the stabilization device and the action of the robotic gripper on the target object, the target object can be moved or rotated in a more stable configuration, thus allowing the actuators to apply less force while still maintaining a firm grasp of the object.

A structural load cell case for a pick and place robotic system that prevents torsion, bending, and overloading from damaging sensors is disclosed. The structural load cell case includes a base, an inner tube that houses the load cell, and a roller sleeve outside the inner tube. The base is adapted to connect to a load and includes a compression spring interfaced with a first part of the load cell. The roller sleeve includes a plurality of roller bearings in contact with the inner tube. The inner tube is free to slide along an axis of the roller sleeve up to pre-determined limits, but is constrained from rotating or translating in directions other than the axis of the roller sleeve.

A structural load cell case for a pick and place robotic system that prevents torsion, bending, and overloading from damaging sensors is disclosed. The structural load cell case includes a base, an inner tube that houses the load cell, and a roller sleeve outside the inner tube. The base is adapted to connect to a load and includes a compression spring interfaced with a first part of the load cell. The roller sleeve includes a plurality of roller bearings in contact with the inner tube. The inner tube is free to slide along an axis of the roller sleeve up to pre-determined limits, but is constrained from rotating or translating in directions other than the axis of the roller sleeve.

Exemplary embodiments relate to user-assisted robotic control systems, user interfaces for remote control of robotic systems, vision systems in robotic control systems, and modular grippers for use by robotic systems. Systems, methods, apparatuses and computer-readable media instructions are disclosed for interactions with and control of robotic systems, in particular, pick and place systems using soft robotic actuators to grasp, move and release target objects.

The subject invention pertains to a pneumatic, hydraulic, or otherwise inflatable or pressurized artificial muscle. Also provided are methods for making, controlling, and using such a muscle useful for prostheses, movement aids, or wearable robots to assist the movement of impaired subjects or to improve the function of healthy subjects. Muscles can be made by densely winding tension wires around pressurized expandable tubes having one or more specific geometric shapes removed from the tube cross section. The curve of output characteristics such as output force vs. contraction ratio can be adjustable by changing parameters of the sectional view of the tube. The appropriate shape of tube and related output characteristics can be selected according to application area or body part to be assisted to achieve the most flexible and optimal design for one or more muscle groups.

A soft robotic actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes a first portion with a substantially constant profile and a second portion with a regularly varying profile, and bends in a pressure-dependent fashion as the internal pressure within the actuator is increased or decreased.

A distributed sensor network for soft growing robots is provided. Sensor bands are distributed at discrete intervals along the length of the flexible tube, and the sensor bands each are wrapped circumferentially around the diameter of the flexible tube. Each sensor band has one or more sensors and one or more semi-rigid islands containing a self-contained microcontroller, and one or more communication lines to an aggregator microcontroller located at the base of the soft growing robot communicatively connecting signals from the sensor bands. A casing laminates the distributed sensor network. In one example the encasing has cavities or a tooth geometry to allow bending. The casing is flexible to not hinder the growth of the soft growing robot, yet protecting the distributed sensor network.

A distributed sensor network for soft growing robots is provided. Sensor bands are distributed at discrete intervals along the length of the flexible tube, and the sensor bands each are wrapped circumferentially around the diameter of the flexible tube. Each sensor band has one or more sensors and one or more semi-rigid islands containing a self-contained microcontroller, and one or more communication lines to an aggregator microcontroller located at the base of the soft growing robot communicatively connecting signals from the sensor bands. A casing laminates the distributed sensor network. In one example the encasing has cavities or a tooth geometry to allow bending. The casing is flexible to not hinder the growth of the soft growing robot, yet protecting the distributed sensor network.

A robotic grasping system can include a three-dimensional (3D) printed joint, a stiff portion coupled with the 3D-printed joint, internal tubes within the 3D-printed joint, a bellows coupled with the 3D-printed joint and at least one of the internal tubes, and a pressure source configured to cause the internal tubes to pressurize or depressurize the bellows.

An elongated actuator including: an elongated inner tube for carrying a pressurized actuation fluid; a helical coil wrapped around the elongated inner tube; wherein the actuator undergoes actuation by means of pressure fluctuations in the elongated inner tube.