A robotic device is provided. The robotic device includes a first detachable digit, including a first connector piece. The robotic device also includes a digit mounting apparatus, including a first pivot joint and a second connector piece coupled to the first pivot joint, where the second connector piece is configured to mate with the first connector piece of the first detachable digit. The robotic device also includes an actuator configured to pivot the first pivot joint about a first axis to cause the second connector piece of the digit mounting apparatus to mate with the first connector piece of the first detachable digit to attach the first detachable digit to the digit mounting apparatus.

Exemplary embodiments relate to improvements in robotic systems to reduce biological or chemical harborage points on the systems. For example, in exemplary embodiments, robotic actuators, hubs, or entire robotic systems may be configured to allow crevices along joints or near fasteners to be reduced or eliminated, hard corners to be replaced with rounded edges, certain components or harborage points to be eliminated, shapes to be reconfigured to be smoother or flat, and/or or surfaces to be reconfigurable for simpler cleaning.

An interchangeable tool including a finger of a shape suitable for various components is mechanically detachably mounted to a robot arm. This eliminates the need for seeking the origin of the actuator for each interchange. By interchanging fingers themselves, the entire end effector can be reduced in size and weight.

Modular gripping finger for arrangement on a movable gripper jaw of a gripping device, having at least two rigidly interconnected finger modules, the finger modules including one or more base modules for forming a geometric shape of the gripping finger and including an end module having a gripping surface, the end module including an electrical end module interface and at least one sensor which is or can be connected to the end module interface.

Toolable modules, each having a set of functions and capabilities which are configurable to function cooperatively, to create a set of Robotic arms. Each finger of the module enables a specific task to be accomplished, providing multiple degrees of movements, enabling the Robotic arms to be deployed in highly precise applications and capable of responding to complex tasks. In coordination with an imaging system and a control system the functionality of the Robotic arms are programmable, scalable and configurable in addition to being able to communicate with the external interfaces in a predetermined protocol, thereby providing Plug and Play functionality.

An air chuck includes: a finger support part including a pair of fingers and a pair of lock shafts; a chuck main body part including an operation mechanism operable to open and close the fingers; and linking mechanisms that detachably link the finger support part to the chuck main body part. Each of the linking mechanisms causes the corresponding lock shaft to shift to a non-lock position so as to render the pair of fingers capable of being opened and closed when the finger support part is linked to the chuck main body part. Each of the linking mechanisms causes the corresponding lock shaft to shift to a lock position and locks the pair of fingers so as to render the pair of fingers incapable of being opened and closed when the finger support part is detached from the chuck main body part.

A touchscreen remote input device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a conductive vacuum attachment member vacuum-attached to a touchscreen; a relay switch electrically connected to the conductive vacuum attachment member; and a microcontroller unit configured to control an on/off operation of the relay switch.

Articulating gripper tooling for gripping an object, the articulating gripper tooling comprising: an articulating finger jaw including a slot; a gripping element including a shaft and at least one finger attached to the shaft, the shaft having a longitudinal axis; and a locking pin disposed through the slot and coupling the shaft to the articulating finger jaw; wherein the gripping element is free to rotate a predetermined amount about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, limited by the locking pin contacting a surface of the articulating finger jaw and/or an adjustment element.

The present application relates to improvements in support systems for holding one or more robotic actuators, particularly soft robotic actuators. Because soft robotic actuators tend to push away from a base to which they are fixed upon inflation, they must be hold to the base securely. However, this may render it more difficult to remove the actuator from the base (e.g., when the actuator fails, when the actuator and/or base must be cleaned or serviced, or when a user wishes to switch out one style or size of actuator for another). Exemplary embodiments herein relate to improved designs for hubs, including interlocking and quick-release mechanisms that allow the actuator to be held firmly to the hub, but also allow the actuator to be quickly and efficiently released, when needed.

A gripper finger for grasping objects includes a gripper jaw and a gripper tip which extends with a gripper axis along a longitudinal direction. The gripper tip is detachably connected to the gripper jaw by a connecting element. The connecting element can be locked with a connecting socket extending in the longitudinal direction in the form of a plug-in connection in such a manner that in the locked state it is impossible for the gripper tip to tilt away in relation to the gripper axis and simultaneously the gripper tip is locked against the gripper jaw in relation to the longitudinal direction by a predefinable longitudinal locking force.