Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, and/or manufacture configured for and/or resulting from, and/or a method for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, an air beam configured to be dynamically moved, the air beam having an inflatable gas bladder, a first tube substantially surrounding the gas bladder, and one or more axial reinforcements.

An end manipulator for picking packages is provided. An example end manipulator includes a vacuum plate coupled to a machine where the vacuum plate includes a first set of vacuum cups. Further, the end manipulator includes a grasper plate movably coupled to the machine. The grasper plate moves between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the grasper plate aligns with the vacuum plate such that the grasper plate abuts the vacuum plate. In the extended position, the grasper plate extends out from the vacuum plate. In some examples, when the grasper plate is in the retracted position, the end manipulator is configured to pick and place a first type of package. Further, in some examples, when the grasper plate is in extended position, the end manipulator is configured to pick and place a second type of package.

Vacuum powered tool that is connectable to a vacuum source and arranged in an object engagement position to engage and hold an object as a result of a negative pressure in the tool as well as to resiliently return to an initial position when the negative pressure ceases. The tool comprises an object handling engagement part, wherein the tool, in a first end, has a fitting to be fixedly received in a vacuum connection implement for fixation of the tool, and in a second end of the tool, wherein the second end is formed for air-proof contact and provided with an at least partly flexible and collapsible spherical hollow inner geometry onto which at least partly spherical and collapsible hollow inner geometry having a collapsible part.

A linkage assembly to connect a tool to a robotic device. The linkage assembly includes a body and a first linkage pair with first and second links that are configured to be connected to a first section of the tool. The linkage assembly also includes a second linkage pair that includes first and second links that are configured to be connected to a second section of the tool. The first linkage pair are powered to provide a force to move the tool relative to the body. The second linkage pair supports the tool and moves with the first linkage pair. Each of the first and second linkage pairs are pivotally connected to the body and may maintain parallel positioning during the movement.

An example valve includes: a sleeve having a plurality of sleeve openings; a first conduit configured to be in hydraulic communication with a first chamber, where a first pressure sensor is disposed in the first conduit and configured to measure a pressure level of fluid in the first chamber; a second conduit configured to be in hydraulic communication with a second chamber, where a second pressure sensor is disposed in the second conduit and configured to measure a pressure level of fluid in the second chamber; a spool rotatable within the sleeve, wherein the spool includes a plurality of spool openings respectively corresponding to the plurality of sleeve openings; a rotary actuator coupled to the spool and configured to rotate the spool within the sleeve in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions; and a controller configured to cause the spool to rotate to one of a plurality of rotary positions.

Provided is a rotation drive device that has a wide rotary driving range, e.g. a rotary driving range of 0-180. Disclosed is a rotation drive device comprising a crank member rotatable about a crank axis, a first cylinder having a first piston and rotatable about a first cylinder rotation axis, and a second cylinder having a second piston and rotatable about a second cylinder rotation axis. The crank member and the first piston are coupled for rotation about a first piston rotation axis spaced from the crank axis. The crank member and the first piston are coupled for rotation about a second piston rotation axis spaced from the crank axis.

A hydraulic forceps system includes: robotic forceps including: a gripper, first piston coupled to the gripper, first cylinder forming first pressure chamber, filled with a hydraulic fluid, together with the first piston, second piston, second cylinder forming a second pressure chamber, filled with hydraulic fluid, together with the second piston, communication passage through which the chambers communicate, motor that drives the second piston via a linear motion mechanism; control device that controls the motor based on a command position for the first piston; and position sensor used for detecting a position of the second piston. The control device includes: an observer that derives an estimated position of the first piston based on the position of the second detected by the sensor; and a position controller that derives a target rotational speed of the motor based on a deviation between the estimated position of the first piston and the command position.

A gripping system including a pneumatic arm assembly, which includes an anchoring bracket, first and second pairs of arms pivotably attached to opposing sides of the anchoring bracket, and a connector bracket, pivotably attached to the first and second pairs of arms. Motion of the connector bracket results from motion of the first and second pairs of arms. A gripping assembly is mounted onto the connector bracket, and includes a pair of gripping arms adapted to grip an object. A pneumatic control assembly includes a pneumatic piston which drives motion of the first and second pairs of arms, the connector bracket, and the gripping arms. During the motion of the connector bracket and the gripping arms, an angle of the connector bracket and of the gripping arms relative to the x-y plane remains relatively constant.

Systems and corresponding control methods providing a ballistic robot that flies on a trajectory after being released (e.g., in non-powered flight as a ballistic body) from a launch mechanism. The ballistic robot is adapted to control its position and/or inflight movements by processing data from onboard and offboard sensors and by issuing well-timed control signals to one or more onboard actuators to achieve an inflight controlled motion. The actuators may move an appendage such as an arm or leg of the robot or may alter the configuration of one or more body links (e.g., to change from an untucked configuration to a tucked configuration), while other embodiments may trigger a drive mechanism of an inertia moving assembly to change/move the moment of inertia of the flying body. Inflight controlled movements are performed to achieve a desired or target pose and orientation of the robot during flight and upon landing.

[Object] To provide a hybrid actuator attaining both driving force and responsiveness, capable of reducing inertia of a movable portion. [Solution] A pneumatic air muscle has a cylinder (112) provided in a flexible member (100) forming a pneumatic artificial muscle. At the center of an upper lid element (109) of the cylinder, a through hole is opened, and an inner wire (103) of a Bowden cable passes through this through hole and is coupled by means of a spring (106) to a bottom portion of the cylinder. When the pneumatic artificial muscle contracts, the inner wire (103) and the pneumatic air muscle move together because of the stopper (105), and the contraction force is transmitted. In contrast, when the pneumatic air muscle extends, the stopper (105) is disengaged, while the tension of inner wire (103) is kept by the spring (106) to prevent slacking.