A robotic system includes a body including at least one attachment mechanism configured to removably couple a modular component to the body. The modular component includes at least one movable part operable to move relative to the body when the modular component is attached to the body. The system includes a communication interface coupled to the body and configured to be communicatively coupled to the modular component to receive information relating to the modular component and operation of the at least one movable part. The system includes a control system coupled to the body and the communication interface. The control system is configured to: in response to the modular component being attached to the body, receive the information from the modular component by way of the communication interface, and operate the at least one movable part of the modular component according to the information.

A biomimetics based robot and process for simulation is disclosed. The robot may include filament driven and fluid pumped elastomer based artificial muscles coordinated for slow twitch/fast twitch contraction and movement of the robot by one or more microcontrollers. A process may provide physics based simulation for movement of a robot in a virtual setting. Successfully tested movement data may be stored and embedded into a robot at build and/or before a new movement in programmed into the robot.

A biomimetics based robot and process for simulation is disclosed. The robot may include filament driven and fluid pumped elastomer based artificial muscles coordinated for slow twitch/fast twitch contraction and movement of the robot by one or more microcontrollers. A process may provide physics based simulation for movement of a robot in a virtual setting. Successfully tested movement data may be stored and embedded into a robot at build and/or before a new movement in programmed into the robot.

Various implementations of a robot are described which generally includes: a frame having first and second frame ends, the frame extending longitudinally between the first and second frame ends; a track having first and second track ends, the track being suspended below the frame and extending longitudinally between the first and second track ends, the first track end being positioned proximate to the first frame end and the second track end being positioned proximate the second frame end; a carrier drivingly coupled to the track, the carrier being translatable along the track between the first and second track ends; and at least one first foot mounted to the first frame end, at least one second foot mounted to the second frame end, and at least one third foot being rotatably mounted to the carrier so that the at least one third foot is rotatable relative to the track.

Various implementations of a robot are described which generally includes: a frame having first and second frame ends, the frame extending longitudinally between the first and second frame ends; a track having first and second track ends, the track being suspended below the frame and extending longitudinally between the first and second track ends, the first track end being positioned proximate to the first frame end and the second track end being positioned proximate the second frame end; a carrier drivingly coupled to the track, the carrier being translatable along the track between the first and second track ends; and at least one first foot mounted to the first frame end, at least one second foot mounted to the second frame end, and at least one third foot being rotatably mounted to the carrier so that the at least one third foot is rotatable relative to the track.

The present disclosure relates to an eversion robot system and a method of operating an eversion robot system. In particular, it relates to a steerable eversion robot having a steering structure disposed in its lumen, wherein the steering structure is configured to control a direction of growth of the eversion robot. The eversion robot system of the present invention avoids drag to the surrounding environment while still comprising a mechanism for controlling the direction of growth of the eversion robot for navigating a complex environment.

Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for controlling at least one fluid actuated device; e.g., an actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder. A method is provided, for example, involving an actuatable component and an actuation system, which includes an actuation system component and an actuator. During a mode of operation, the actuation system component is fluidly coupled with a first chamber and a second chamber of the actuator using the actuation system. The actuator is operable to move the actuatable component.

An example method includes identifying an operating state at which a velocity of a hydraulic actuator configured to operate a movable member of a robot is less than a threshold velocity and an actuator force is less than a threshold force, determining a valve command that corresponds to the operating state, such that the valve command is provided to a valve configured to control flow to and from the hydraulic actuator, and the valve includes a spool movable within a body of the valve, and the valve command causes the spool to move within the body of the valve to a position that induces the operating state, and determining a null bias signal based on the valve command.

An example method includes identifying an operating state at which a velocity of a hydraulic actuator configured to operate a movable member of a robot is less than a threshold velocity and an actuator force is less than a threshold force, determining a valve command that corresponds to the operating state, such that the valve command is provided to a valve configured to control flow to and from the hydraulic actuator, and the valve includes a spool movable within a body of the valve, and the valve command causes the spool to move within the body of the valve to a position that induces the operating state, and determining a null bias signal based on the valve command.

A liquid material application device can alleviate programming work for drawing a line. The device includes a discharge head (50) for discharging a liquid material, a worktable (25) on which a workpiece is placed, a robot (20) for moving the discharge head and the worktable relative to each other in XYZ directions, and a control unit including an arithmetic device and a storage device for storing an application program, the liquid material application device applying the liquid material to be drawn in the form of a line on the workpiece while the workpiece and the discharge head are moved relative to each other, the control unit includes a first control unit (30) for moving the workpiece and the discharge head relative to each other in accordance with the application program, and a second control unit (40) for controlling a discharge amount of the discharge head.