The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a shaft, a tool member, and a flexure. The shaft has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and defines a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion includes a ground portion. The tool member has an engagement portion and an actuation portion. The engagement portion is disposed distally from the actuation portion, and can exert an engagement force on a target structure. The actuation portion receives an actuation force. The flexure has a first end portion coupled to the ground portion of the shaft, and a second end portion coupled to the tool member. The flexure is configured to deform elastically when the actuation force is exerted on the actuation portion of the tool member such that the tool member rotates relative to the shaft.

A robotic digit includes a digit base and a joint link coupled to the digit base and movable relative to the digit base about a first axis. An input link is coupled to the joint link through a proximal digit segment and movable relative to the proximal digit segment about a second axis. A cable extending along the proximal digit segment has a distal end coupled to the input link. A cable drive is coupled to a proximal end of the cable and operable to displace the cable relative to the proximal digit segment. A main actuator has an output coupled to move the joint link about the first axis. Relative displacement between the cable and the proximal digit segment via operation of the first cable drive or operation of the main actuator causes movement of the input link about the second axis.

A cutting device includes a base plate, a motor attached to the base plate, a driving cord including a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the motor, and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly includes a fixed blade that is fixed to the base plate, and a driven blade that moves with respect to the fixed blade. The second end of the driving cord is attached to the driven blade to move the driven blade with respect to the fixed blade when the motor rotates.

The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first joint member, a second joint member, and a flexure. The first joint member includes a first connection portion and a contact surface. The second joint member including a second connection portion. A first end portion of the flexure is coupled to the first connection portion, and a second end portion of the flexure is coupled to the second connection portion. The flexure is configured to deform elastically when the first joint member and the second joint member move from a first configuration to a second configuration. When in the first configuration, the central portion of the flexure is spaced apart from the contact portion. When in the second configuration, the central portion of the flexure contacting the contact portion.

The present invention is a robotic hand device with thenar muscles, comprising a finger unit, a palm unit, a thenar unit, a first drive unit, a second drive unit, and a processor unit. When the processor unit issues a gripping instruction, the processor unit drives the finger units and the palm unit through the first drive unit to bend towards a central area of the palm until the finger units and the palm unit grip the object, and the processor unit drives the thenar unit through the second drive unit to move towards the central area of the palm until the thenar unit leans against the object. In this way, the robot hand device with thenar muscles using lead screw mechanism can firmly grip the object through the thenar unit in a more stable manner to improve a dynamic holding stability and to reduce risks of dropping the object.

A multi-armed robotic translation device includes a robotic body that includes a base section and a cover section attached to the base section. A plurality of tentacles is attached to the robotic body. The plurality of tentacles are configured to apply a shear force on the target object to grip the target object using an adhesive force, each tentacle including at least one shape memory alloy wire configured to move the tentacle. A control system is positioned in the robotic body and is configured to provide power and/or control signals to the tentacles.

An end effector of a surgical tool is disclosed. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a first jaw body and first grips extending from the first jaw body. The second jaw includes a second jaw body and second grips extending from the second jaw body. The first and second jaws are movable between open and closed configurations. The first and second grips mesh upon transitioning the first and second jaws to the closed configuration to thereby define a non-linear longitudinal interface along the length of the first and second jaws and a non-linear lateral interface along the width of the first and second jaws.