An end effector including a processing mechanism and a target-object-positioning mechanism provided at a support member. The target-object-positioning mechanism includes a first contact-and-move member configured to move in a front-rear direction of the end effector and in a first orthogonal direction with respect to the support member, and a second contact-and-move member configured to move in the front-rear direction and in a second orthogonal direction with respect to the support member. The first and second contact-and-move members, while maintaining a position thereof in the front-rear direction with respect to the support member, move in the first orthogonal direction and the second orthogonal direction, respectively, to make contact with the target object in a contact-and-move-member-moving space. The first and second contact-and-move members, while maintaining contact with the target object, move in a rearward direction with respect to the support member, to thereby position the target object at a processing position.

According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper. The gripper is flexible and includes a first portion contacting a workpiece, a second portion opposing the first portion, and a granular material provided between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion includes a concave portion and a convex portion. The concave portion is recessed in a first direction. The first direction is from the first portion toward the second portion The convex portion is provided around the concave portion and protrudes in a second direction. The second direction is the reverse of the first direction. The concave portion has a groove having a ring configuration recessed outward from a center of the gripper.

According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper. The gripper is flexible and includes a first portion contacting a workpiece, a second portion opposing the first portion, and a granular material provided between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion includes a concave portion and a convex portion. The concave portion is recessed in a first direction. The first direction is from the first portion toward the second portion The convex portion is provided around the concave portion and protrudes in a second direction. The second direction is the reverse of the first direction. The concave portion has a groove having a ring configuration recessed outward from a center of the gripper.

A poultry defeathering apparatus comprising a compression plate with a central aperture operationally associated with a hub drive shaft of a feather plucking machine, wherein the compression plate is secured to the hub drive shaft, a finger plate operationally associated with the hub drive shaft and the compression plate, the finger plate includes a central aperture, an annular abutment ring operationally associated with the central aperture, a plurality of finger apertures surrounding the central aperture, a plurality of fingers secured to the finger plate by insertion through the finger plate, with the body extending through a finger aperture, wherein the hub drive shaft is secured to the finger plate and wherein the oversized base of each finger is compressed between the compression plate and the finger plate and a mounting bolt secured on the finger plate within the mounting hole of the hub drive shaft.

An articulatable member includes a distal end, a proximal end, an actuation member, and a constraint member. The actuation member extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The actuation member transmits force to bend the articulatable member from a neutral position. The constraint member extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The constraint member may have opposite ends that are fixed to the distal end and the proximal end. In one embodiment, the constraint member follows a helical path along at least a portion of the articulatable member from the proximal end to the distal end. In another embodiment, the actuation member follows a helical path along at least a portion of the articulatable member.

An articulatable member includes a distal end, a proximal end, an actuation member, and a constraint member. The actuation member extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The actuation member transmits force to bend the articulatable member from a neutral position. The constraint member extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The constraint member may have opposite ends that are fixed to the distal end and the proximal end. In one embodiment, the constraint member follows a helical path along at least a portion of the articulatable member from the proximal end to the distal end. In another embodiment, the actuation member follows a helical path along at least a portion of the articulatable member.

A harvesting tool configured to independently grasp and twist a target object. The harvesting tool comprising a pneumatic cylinder, a pneumatic coupling communicating with the pneumatic cylinder; bearings supporting the pneumatic cylinder for rotation relative to the pneumatic coupling; and a gear assembly configured to rotate the pneumatic cylinder relative to the pneumatic coupling. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

A harvesting tool configured to independently grasp and twist a target object. The harvesting tool comprising a pneumatic cylinder, a pneumatic coupling communicating with the pneumatic cylinder; bearings supporting the pneumatic cylinder for rotation relative to the pneumatic coupling; and a gear assembly configured to rotate the pneumatic cylinder relative to the pneumatic coupling. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

There is provided a holding apparatus for a robot including: two or more finger sections disposed opposite to each other so as to face toward a holding center; a work pressing section on which a work abuts when the work is inserted between the finger sections; and a driving unit that moves respective distal ends of the finger sections toward the holding center, wherein each of the finger sections includes a finger section main body formed of at least two plate-like elastic bodies, and a reinforcing member that is disposed along an outer surface of the main body, is joined to a distal end of the main body, and has higher rigidity than the main body, and the reinforcing member is swingably provided around an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the main body, and parallel to a surface of the main body.

There is provided a holding apparatus for a robot including: two or more finger sections disposed opposite to each other so as to face toward a holding center; a work pressing section on which a work abuts when the work is inserted between the finger sections; and a driving unit that moves respective distal ends of the finger sections toward the holding center, wherein each of the finger sections includes a finger section main body formed of at least two plate-like elastic bodies, and a reinforcing member that is disposed along an outer surface of the main body, is joined to a distal end of the main body, and has higher rigidity than the main body, and the reinforcing member is swingably provided around an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the main body, and parallel to a surface of the main body.