One variation of a method for autonomously scanning and processing a part includes: accessing a part model representing a part positioned in a work zone adjacent a robotic system; retrieving a sanding head translation speed; retrieving a toolpath for execution on the part defining positions, orientations, and target forces applied by the sanding head to the part. The method includes traversing the sanding head along the toolpath, at the sanding head translation speed; reading a sequence of applied forces from a force sensor coupled to the sanding head at positions along the toolpath; and deviating from the toolpath to maintain the set of applied forces within a threshold difference of a sequence of target forces along the toolpath. In one variation of the method, the robotic system executes a toolpath at a duration less than target duration by selectively varying target force and sanding head translation speed across the part.

A three-rotational-degree-of-freedom connection mechanism required for a robot that can make motion similar to a human has a simple structure, and there is no restriction on motion within a movable range. The three-rotational-degree-of-freedom connection mechanism includes a joint connecting a second member rotatably to a first member with three rotational degrees of freedom including rotation around a torsion axis, three actuators each including variable length links having a variable length, and power sources for generating force changing the lengths of variable length links and three first-member-side link attaching units provided in first member and the second-member-side link attaching units provided on the second member such that variable length links having a twisted relationship with respect to a torsion axis exist in each state within a movable range of joint.

The invention disclosure a remotely operated pneumatic manipulator based on Kinect, comprising Kinect sensor, computer, D/A embedded board, PWM piezoelectric pneumatic ratio valve, pneumatic triad, air compressor, artificial muscle, spring and finger joint, wherein the Kinect sensor is provided on one side of the finger joint, a camera module of the Kinect sensor is faced to the finger joint. The pneumatic humanoid manipulator of the invention has basically the same dimensions as human hands, can achieve human-computer interaction and remotely operation, the transmission structure thereof is novel, simple and compact, the fingers thereon are convenient to control and flexible to move, the finger movement range is large for wide application, moreover, the PWM piezoelectric pneumatic ratio valve is with advantages of fast dynamic response, low cost, strong resistance to noise, and high detection accuracy of Kinect sensor.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for concentric suction cup tools with parallel pistons. In one embodiment, an example picking assembly may include a first piston subassembly with a first air cylinder, a first sliding rail that slides relative to the first air cylinder, and a first suction cup. The example picking assembly may include a second piston subassembly comprising a second air cylinder, a second sliding rail that slides relative to the second air cylinder, and a second suction cup, where the first and second piston subassemblies may be configured to independently actuate from a retracted position to an extended position. The example picking assembly may include a first guide plate with a first aperture for the first piston subassembly and a second aperture for the second piston subassembly, a shell that forms a housing for the picking assembly, and an airflow coupler.

A robot includes a body, a first robotic arm physically coupled to the body, and a first discrete hydraulic system comprising a first plurality of hydraulic components. The first robotic arm includes a first end effector. The first hydraulic system is operable to control the first end effector. The first plurality of hydraulic components is integrated with the first robotic arm. In some implementations, the robot includes a second robotic arm physically coupled to the body, and a second discrete hydraulic system consisting of a second plurality of hydraulic components. The second robotic arm includes a second end effector. The second hydraulic system is operable to control the second end effector. The second plurality of hydraulic components are integrated with the second robotic arm. The second hydraulic system is hydraulically-isolated from the first hydraulic system.

One variation of a method for autonomously scanning and processing a part includes: accessing a part model representing a part positioned in a work zone adjacent a robotic system; retrieving a sanding head translation speed; retrieving a toolpath for execution on the part defining positions, orientations, and target forces applied by the sanding head to the part. The method includes traversing the sanding head along the toolpath, at the sanding head translation speed; reading a sequence of applied forces from a force sensor coupled to the sanding head at positions along the toolpath; and deviating from the toolpath to maintain the set of applied forces within a threshold difference of a sequence of target forces along the toolpath. In one variation of the method, the robotic system executes a toolpath at a duration less than target duration by selectively varying target force and sanding head translation speed across the part.

The present invention discloses a pneumatic-controlled pitch-adjustable telescopic mechanism used for a robotic arm, which belongs to the technical field of robotic arm pneumatic control movement, comprising a sliding block, a fixed block and a driving device, the fixed block is in a fixed position; the sliding block slides relative to the fixed block according to a predetermined movement track, which is used to adjust the distance between the sliding block and the fixed block; the driving device is used to provide power to drive; a sliding bar is disposed between the driving device and the sliding block, one end of the sliding bar is fixedly connected to the driving device, and the other end is slidingly connected to the sliding block, which is used to drive the sliding block to slide; the fixed block is provided with a fixed base and a guide mechanism, the fixed base is used to restrict the sliding bar from moving in a direction non-parallel to the predetermined movement track; the guide mechanism is used to guide the sliding block to slide along the predetermined movement track. The present invention provides a pneumatic-controlled telescopic mechanism that can adjust the length of a robotic arm joint and has a small and flexible joint; using a gas bag as a driving force, the present invention has high movement precision, and is environmentally friendly and pollution-free, and the length of the joint can be changed, increasing the flexibility of the robotic arm.

A chuck unit includes a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber disposed on both sides of a piston for driving fingers. A valve unit includes a first output air flow path connected to one of the first and second pressure chambers, a second output air flow path connected to the other thereof, a first solenoid valve connected to the first output air flow path, and a second solenoid valve connected to the second output air flow path. The first solenoid valve connects the first output air flow path to an air supply source when energized and opens the first output air flow path to atmosphere when de-energized, and the second solenoid valve opens the second output air flow path to atmosphere when energized and connects the second output air flow path to the air supply source when de-energized.

A robot includes elbows connecting forearms rotatably to upper arms with two rotational degrees of freedom. The elbow includes: an elbow joint connecting the forearm and the upper arm with two rotational degrees of freedom; an elbow drive main link; an elbow drive auxiliary link; a forearm-side main link attaching unit attached with one end of the elbow drive main link with two rotational degrees of freedom, and provided in the forearm; an elbow-drive-main-link-side auxiliary link attaching unit attached with one end of the elbow drive auxiliary link with two rotational degrees of freedom, and provided on the elbow drive main link; and two linear actuators for moving two upper-arm-side link attaching units each attached with the other end of either the elbow drive main link or the elbow drive auxiliary link with two rotational degrees of freedom, and provided so as to be movable along the upper arm.

The present disclosure provides a biologically-inspired robotic device comprising: a first member; a second member pivotably connected to the first member; one or more actuators; and a coupler/decoupler mechanism (CDC) selectively coupling or decoupling of the one or more actuators to the second member, such that, when the one or more actuators are coupled to the second member, the one or more actuators act to pivot the second member relative to the first member.