Articulation devices, systems, methods for articulation, and methods for fabricating articulation structures make use of balloon arrays, with inflation of the balloons locally altering articulation. Inflation fluid may be directed toward the balloons from an inflation fluid source via a series of channels, the balloons and channels included in a helical multi-balloon assembly. The balloons may be supported by encasing the helical balloon assembly in a polymer matrix, such as by winding the balloon assembly onto a mandrel and dip-coating some or all of the assembly in an elastomer such as a silicone, a urethane, or the like. The balloons may be supported by one or more spring, with loops of the spring(s) optionally being inward of the balloons, outward of the balloons, or interspersed between the balloons, and/or a mesh tube, braid, or other compliant materials may be included. Articulation balloon arrays may be disposed in an annular space bordered by inner and outer tubular sheaths, with a portion of one or both sheaths being axially slidable relative to the balloons so as to facilitate elongation and bending.

A dielectric elastomer system (DES) variable stiffness actuator (VSA) is provided. In an embodiment, the DES VSA includes a variable stiffness module (VSM). The VSM includes a DES that softens when energized and stiffens when unpowered, an outer frame, and an inner frame member. The stiffness of the DES is variable. The outer frame supports the DES and the inner frame member, which is disposed within the DES. The inner frame member is configured to be displaceable with respect to the outer frame. The DES VSA also includes an actuation motor mechanically coupled to the inner frame member that is configured to cause a force to be applied to the inner frame member and the actuation motor is configured to control an equilibrium position of the DES VSA.

In general terms, the present invention provides a passively compliant robotic arm having one or more variable stiffness joints controllable by first and second bi-directional actuators that can be independently operated. Each bi-directional actuator may be operable in a first configuration to urge the joint in a first direction, and in a second configuration to urge the joint in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The bi-directional actuators may be operated in a cooperating mode (high torque mode) in which they work in tandem (i.e. both in the first configuration or second configuration) to double the available torque output. The bi-directional actuators may also (or alternatively) be operated in a high stiffness mode (antagonist mode) in which they counter-act each other by operating so that they oppose one another (i.e. one in the first configuration and the other in the second configuration). The high torque mode may be utilised for an initial portion of a movement trajectory, and the antagonist mode for a final portion of the movement trajectory. The relatively high stiffness in the high stiffness/antagonist mode results from the combined effects of the non-linear force-deflection relationship of the first and second resilient members. The resilient members may each comprise an elastic element, tendon or other resilient member that can be stretched (elongated) to increase tension therein and thereby urge the joint to move.

A bionic robot and a spine apparatus thereof. Magnetorheological fluids are filled in the cavity, the first tube and the second tube to actuate the first end of the piston rod, so that the piston rod is actuated to move along the axial direction of the cavity. The excitation coil is wound around the first tube. When the controller provides a variable current for the excitation coil, the excitation coil produces a variable magnetic field at the first tube, thereby causing a magnetorheological effect that the magnetorheological fluid is in low liquidity and high viscosity. Then, the transmission speed of the piston rod is changed, which is presented as a damping characteristic, reducing the pause and transition in the spine apparatus, and improving the flexibility and the bionic performance of the robot.

A tunable static balancer arrangement on a mechanic device, for adjustably compensating a positive force needed to actuate a moveable part of the device from a first position to a second position. The arrangement comprises a moveable actuation member for transferring movement from an input to said moveable part, the actuation member being moveable in a general axial direction, at least one first stiffness element that exerts in at least one position a negative force in the axial direction counteracting at least partially said positive force when the moveable part is moved from the first position to the second position, at least one adjustable second stiffness element, wherein said first stiffness element is connected on one end to said moveable actuation member, and on the opposite end to the adjustable second stiffness element, such that the first stiffness element exerts a positive force on the adjustable second stiffness element, and such that when stiffness of said adjustable second stiffness element is adjusted, the negative force of said first stiffness element in the axial direction is altered. Also provided is a compliant grasper comprising the tunable static balancer arrangement.

A power-assist lower limb exoskeleton robot with adjustable stiffness joints includes a human-robot information interaction unit, an electronic control unit, an electro-hydraulic servo driving unit and a mechanical structure unit of a lower limb exoskeleton. In the mechanical structure unit of the lower limb exoskeleton, a hip joint and a hip joint connector are connected by a cross hinge mechanism. In combination with a bidirectional hydraulic cylinder, the hip joint of the lower limb exoskeleton fits well with the space structure characteristics of a human hip joint. The unidirectional hydraulic cylinders with spring reduction meets the needs of fast response and large torque during walking and increases walking endurance time. The present invention uses a plantar pressure information collection unit and a waist gyroscope to collect the human gait and gesture information. Besides, it uses a crutch unit to introduce wearer's movement intention into the exoskeleton robot's cooperative control.

Various embodiments provide a variable stiffness soft actuator inspired by an ossicle structure of echinoderm and a robot apparatus including the same. According to various embodiments, the soft actuate includes a plurality of ossicle elements arranged in a specific structure, wherein an interval between the plurality of ossicle elements is maintained or reduced depending on vacuum generation to change the stiffness of the soft actuator.

A system having a control system and a robot equipped or configured with torque-controllable actuators. In some cases, the system may be a robotic arm and/or system configured to allow for precisely controlled force-based responses and contact with environmental or physical objects. The robotic arm may be configured to operator in close proximity to humans or operators as well as other objects to perform various industrial tasks without risk of injury or damage as well as to be usable to provide for safe and effective virtual reality simulations.

A control system is provided for controlling movements of an end effector connected to a clutch output of at least one magnetorheological (MR) fluid clutch apparatus. A clutch driver is configured to drive the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus between a controlled slippage mode, in which slippage between a clutch input and the clutch output of the MR fluid clutch apparatus varies, and a lock mode, in which said slippage between the clutch input and the clutch output is maintained below a given threshold, the clutch output transmitting movement to the end effector. A motor driver is configured to control a motor output of at least one motor, the motor output coupled to the clutch input. A mode selector module is configured to receive signals representative of at least one movement parameter of the end effector, the mode selector module selecting a mode between the controlled slippage mode and the lock mode of the clutch driver based on the signals, and switching the selected mode based on the signals. A movement controller controls the clutch driver and the motor driver to displace the end effector based on at least one of the selected mode and on commanded movements of the end effector for the end effector to achieve the commanded movements. A method for controlling movements of an end effector connected to the MR fluid clutch apparatus is also provided.

A variable stiffness joint and method to alter the stiffness of the joint with multiple stiffness levels is described wherein a plurality of stiffness bits (m) are used for enabling 2 m stiffness level variations for the joint. Each stiffness bit comprises an elastic element in mechanical connection with a clutch (21, 22, 23). The joint revolves with zero stiffness level when all the clutches (21, 22, 23) are disengaged whereas a clutch (21, 22, 23) involves one of the elastic elements which alter the stiffness of the joint. Engaging other clutches (21, 22, 23) involve more elastic elements for altering the joint stiffness and the resultant joint stiffness is determined by adding the stiffness values of all the involved springs (6, 7, 8).