An automated device has a movable structure covered at least in part by a sensorised covering. The sensorised covering comprises a plurality of covering modules, which includes one or more sensorised covering modules. Each sensorised covering module includes a plurality of distinct layers stacked on top of one another and including a load-bearing layer and at least one cushioning layer. Each sensorised covering module integrates at least one contact sensor device (C), which includes a first lower electrically conductive layer (61) and a second upper electrically conductive layer (63), set between which is an electrically insulating layer (62).

Remote control robot system includes a master device, slave arm having plurality of control modes including automatic and manual mode, control device configured to operate slave arm, an entering-person sensing device configured to detect entering person into operational area of slave arm, entering-person identifying information acquisition device configured to acquire entering-person identifying information for identifying whether entering person is operator who carries master device, and operation regulating device configured to regulate operation of slave arm based on information acquired from entering-person sensing device and information acquisition device. In automatic mode, operation regulating device regulates operation of slave arm when entering person is detected. In manual mode, operation regulating device allows operation of slave arm to continue when entering person is detected and entering person is operator, and regulates operation of the slave arm when entering person is other than operator.

A tactile sensor includes a support member with a curved surface, a sensor body disposed on the support member, and a buffer member with which the sensor body is coated, the buffer member being configured to, in response to contacting an object, transfer a force applied from the object to the sensor body. The sensor body includes an insulating layer, multiple first resistive portions of which a longitudinal direction is directed to a first direction of each and that are juxtaposed on one side of the insulating layer, multiple second resistive portions of which a longitudinal direction of each is directed to a second direction intersecting with the first direction and that are juxtaposed on another side of the insulating layer, and a pair of electrodes provided at both end portions of each of the first resistive portions and the second resistive portions. The press force applied from the object is transferred to the sensor body, and at least one given resistive portion among the first resistive portions and the second resistive portions is pressed, so that a resistance value between a given pair of electrodes associated with the pressed at least one given resistive portion among the first resistive portions and the second resistive portions constantly varies in accordance with a magnitude of the press force.

A tool control system may include: a tactile sensor configured to, when a tool holds a target object and slides the target object downward across the tool, obtain tactile sensing data from the tool; one or more memories configured to store a target velocity and computer-readable instructions; and one or more processors configured execute the computer-readable instructions to: receive the tactile sensing data from the tactile sensor; estimate a velocity of the target object based on the tactile sensing data, by using one or more neural networks that are trained based on a training image of an sample object captured while the sample object is sliding down; and generate a control parameter of the tool based on the estimated velocity and the target velocity.

Systems and methods for tactile output estimation are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a depth map module, an estimation module, and a surface module. The depth map module is configured to identify a region of interest (RoI) of an object. The area of the RoI corresponds to a tactile sensor size of a tactile sensor. The depth module is further configured to receive depth data for the RoI from a depth sensor and generate a depth map for the RoI based on a volume of the depth data relative to a frame of reference of the RoI. The estimation module is configured to estimate a tactile sensor output based on the depth map. The surface module configured to determine surface properties based on the estimated tactile sensor output.

This invention relates to a device for sensing interaction with its surrounding environment, the device including: a plurality of sensing points (11); a plurality of detectors (12), each associated with one of said sensing points (11) and located remotely therefrom; a plurality of channels (14) which connect said sensing points (11) to said detectors (12) and provide a communication pathway therebetween; and communication media filling the channels, wherein each detector (12) is in communication with the associated sensing point or points (11) through one of said channels (14) and the medium in said channel (14) is arranged to transmit, transfer or transduce an interaction of the sensing point (11) with its surrounding environment to the detector (12) through the channel (14). The invention also relates to prosthetics which incorporate such devices. The devices according to the present aspect integrate sensing points and sensors within the structure of the device rather than adding an extra sensing layer to the structure and can overcome the traditional problems associated with the wiring when providing sensors on a robot arm or prosthetic.

This invention is directed to offer a customizable, cost effective, and comfortable soft gripping solution for patients with chronic disabilities, such as diabetic neuropathy, allowing the patients to function independently and perform routine daily tasks. A soft robotic gripper has been developed with one or more inflatable systems actuated by aft to assist a user to grip an object. The main body of the gripper bends with air actuation while the fingertip actuation helps functionality in the extremities. The gripper is further enhanced by adding sensors that integrate feedback for sensitivity to touch, conformability, and grip ability. The modular design modifications allow for gripper adjustments as the disease progresses or rescinds. The gripper also works as a training aid for routine physical therapy exercises. Data collected by a microprocessor can also help learn more about these chronic diseases and use artificial intelligence to customize treatment regimens for individual patients.

A device for controlling a handling device comprising a carrier housing which can be arranged on the handling device with a tactile sensor body arranged on the outside of the carrier housing and a tool carrier movably mounted on the carrier housing, wherein the sensor body can be actuated by the tool carrier when load is acting on the tool carrier, wherein the sensor body is formed by a gas-filled chamber which is surrounded by a flexible shell, which can be deformed by collision with an obstacle, and further comprises a pressure sensor for measuring the gas pressure prevailing inside the chamber.

A robotic system includes a controller configured to obtain image data from one or more optical sensors and to determine one or more of a location and/or pose of a vehicle component based on the image data. The controller also is configured to determine a model of an external environment of the robotic system based on the image data and to determine tasks to be performed by components of the robotic system to perform maintenance on the vehicle component. The controller also is configured to assign the tasks to the components of the robotic system and to communicate control signals to the components of the robotic system to autonomously control the robotic system to perform the maintenance on the vehicle component.

A mechanical hand mimics a human hand having similar degrees of freedom and sensory abilities while appearing visually similar to human hand. The mechanical hand comprises a mechanical hand skeleton and resilient elastomer (e.g., silicone) skin that fully encloses the mechanical hand skeleton. The mechanical hand skeleton may advantageously be molded directly into the resilient elastomer (e.g., silicone) skin such that the hand appears, moves, and feels very similar to a real human hand. The mechanical hand may have applications in robotics, for example as an end-of-arm tool or end effector, or may have other applications. Robotic applications may include prosthetics applications.