An exoskeleton system comprising a fluidic actuator and a power transmission that includes: a transmission body that defines a transmission chamber configured to hold a fluid, the transmission body having a first and second end, and a piston that translates within the transmission chamber between the first and second ends of the transmission body, with translation of the piston within the transmission chamber changing a volume of the transmission chamber. The exoskeleton system also includes a mechanical power source coupled to the power transmission configured to cause the piston to translate within respective transmission body to change the volume of the transmission cavity; and a first fluid line that couples the power transmission to the fluidic actuator.

This disclosure relates to apparatus a multi-legged robot including at least one pair of actuators. Each actuator includes a pliable body. The pliable body includes a first portion having a first chamber, a second portion having a second chamber, where the second portion coupled to a distal end of the first portion. The pliable body includes a first inlet coupled to the first chamber, where the first portion is configured to bend upon receiving a first fluid via the first inlet and a second inlet coupled to the second chamber, where the second portion is configured to extend upon receiving a second fluid via the second inlet. The multi-legged robot includes a frame coupled to a proximate end of the first portion of each actuator.

The invention relates to a modular exoskeleton structure that provides force assistance to a user, comprising a base module (1) comprising a lumbar belt (11) capable of surrounding the lower trunk of the user, two hip modules capable of being attached to two respective thighs of the user, and a backpack support module (14) for an exoskeleton structure, comprising: a hoop (141) designed to be anchored to the hip modules, at the hips of a user, a support rod (142) designed to extend along the back of the user and capable of being engaged in a pouch of a backpack to suspend the backpack to the backpack support module (14), wherein the rod (142) comprises a first rod element (1421) connected to the hoop (141), a second rod element (1422) capable of sliding with respect to the first rod element (1421) so as to vary a length of the rod (142), and a damper for cushioning the movement of the second rod element (1421) with respect to the first rod element (1422) caused by the walking of the user.

A drive system (1) which is designed in particular as a robot (1a) and has a linear drive (2), on the drive unit (7) of which, which can be driven to perform a drive movement (8), a working unit (3) is mounted with an interface module (4) being connected therebetween. The working unit (3) has at least one fluidic actuator (54) and at least one electrical actuator (63). The linear drive (2) is accommodated in a casing body (67) which has a longitudinal slot (74) through which the interface module (4) passes. A flexurally resilient fluid tube arrangement (95) and a likewise flexurally resilient power cable arrangement (97), both of which lead to the interface module (4), extend in a casing-body interior (68) which is enclosed by the casing body (67), wherein a fluidic connection and an electrical connection to the working unit (3) are produced through the interface module (4).

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for simultaneously and concentrically handling cylindrical objects of different diameters. Also, the present disclosure is directed to a handler having a clamp that includes pairs of outer and inner tongs spaced apart on separate sides of the central plane that is orthogonal to a central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical object. Some embodiments may include a clamp having a mounting plate and a piston assembly coupled to the mounting plate where the central plane is parallel to the mounting plate. Some embodiments include a plurality of linkage bars pivotally coupled between the piston assembly and the plurality of outer tongs and inner tongs. In some embodiments, in response to a movement of the piston assembly, the inner and outer tongs pivot between an open position and a closed position to secure the cylindrical object between the inner and outer tongs.

A drive system (1) which is designed in particular as a robot (1a) and which has a fluid-operated linear drive (2), on the drive unit (7) of which linear drive, which drive unit can be driven so as to perform a drive movement (8), there is mounted an electrically and fluidically operable working unit (3). The linear drive (2) is equipped with a control valve device (16) which can be actuated by means of an internal electronic control device (32) in order to move the drive unit (7). Two drive pressure sensor devices (113) and a travel measuring device (114) are connected to the internal electronic control device (32), such that a position-controlled operation of the drive unit (8) is possible. The drive system (1) furthermore includes a flexible electrical cable arrangement (97) and a flexible fluid hose arrangement (95), which are fixed to the drive unit (7) and which serve for the supply of electricity and fluid to the working unit (3).

Robots including a lifting actuator for lifting object are disclosed. In one embodiment, a robot includes a rail system extending in a system direction, a body structure coupled to the rail system, the body structure comprising an array of flexible tactile sensors, wherein each flexible tactile sensor of the array of flexible tactile sensors is operable to produce a signal determinative of a magnitude and a direction of a force applied to the flexible tactile sensor, and a lift actuator operable to move the body structure along the rail system.

A compliance mechanism for holding a robotic finishing tool implements passive force control and compliance using one or more double-acting pneumatic pistons. A desired application force is set and maintained by controlling pneumatic pressure in chambers both fore and aft of the one or more double-acting pneumatic pistons. The pressures in the fore and aft chambers are dynamically controlled, e.g., in response to changes in spatial orientation of the robot arm and tool, to maintain a desired compliance force applied by the robotic finishing tool to a workpiece. An external regulator maintains the fore and aft chamber pressures, for a given spatial orientation, throughout the holder's range of compliance motion. The compliance mechanism includes a plurality of piston bores; the number of active pistons may be adjusted for a given operation, e.g., in response to the finishing tool weight.

The invention relates to a device for positioning in the proximity of a joint between two portions, the device comprising a first interface (11) carried by a first of the two portions and a second interface (12) carried by a second of the two portions, the device including at least one connection between the first interface and the second interface, the connection comprising a double cylinder having two chambers that are connected together by a floating piston, the first of the two chambers being connected to the first interface and a second of the two chambers being connected to a drive rather of the double cylinder, said rod being connected to the second interface.

The invention also relates to a system including such a device.

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.