A coordinate positioning arm includes: a base end and a head end; a drive frame for moving the head end relative to the base end; and a metrology frame for measuring a position and orientation of the head end relative to the base end. The drive frame includes a plurality of drive axes arranged in series between the base end and the head end. The metrology frame includes a plurality of metrology axes arranged in series between the base end and the head end. The metrology frame is adapted and arranged to be substantially separate and/or independent from the drive frame, for example by supporting the metrology frame substantially only at the base end and head end and by providing the metrology frame with sufficient degrees of freedom (via the metrology axes) to avoid creating an additional constraint between the metrology frame and the drive frame.

A concentric tube steerable device includes a plurality of tubes having a nested, concentric configuration. The tubes include an outer tube and an inner tube that extends coaxially within the outer tube. The inner tube terminates at a tip, and a pose of the tip is effectuated through individual or collective rotation or translation of the tubes about a tube axis. The concentric tube steerable device includes an actuator for rotating at least one tube about a respective tube axis, and a translator for translating at least one tube along a respective tube axis. Each tube includes a precurved portion and a corresponding axis of precurvature. For at least one tube, a flexural rigidity of the tube along its axis of precurvature is less than a flexural rigidity of the tube along a second axis that is perpendicular to the axis of precurvature, thereby improving stability of the tube.

A fiber includes M primary cores and N redundant cores, where M an integer is greater than two and N is an integer greater than one. Interferometric circuitry detects interferometric pattern data associated with the M primary cores and the N redundant cores when the optical fiber is placed into a sensing position. Data processing circuitry calculates a primary core fiber bend value for the M primary cores and a redundant core fiber bend value for the N redundant cores based on a predetermined geometry of the M primary cores and the N redundant cores in the fiber and detected interferometric pattern data associated with the M primary cores and the N redundant cores. The primary core fiber bend value and the redundant core fiber bend value are compared in a comparison. The detected data for the M primary cores is determined reliable or unreliable based on the comparison. A signal is generated in response to an unreliable determination.

A fiber includes M primary cores and N redundant cores, where M an integer is greater than two and N is an integer greater than one. Interferometric circuitry detects interferometric pattern data associated with the M primary cores and the N redundant cores when the optical fiber is placed into a sensing position. Data processing circuitry calculates a primary core fiber bend value for the M primary cores and a redundant core fiber bend value for the N redundant cores based on a predetermined geometry of the M primary cores and the N redundant cores in the fiber and detected interferometric pattern data associated with the M primary cores and the N redundant cores. The primary core fiber bend value and the redundant core fiber bend value are compared in a comparison. The detected data for the M primary cores is determined reliable or unreliable based on the comparison. A signal is generated in response to an unreliable determination.

A locking system for a continuum arm robot system, the robot system includes: a continuum arm robot having a manipulatable tip, a passive robot section through which controls for the manipulatable tip, and at least one ferromagnetic collar, and at least one external controllable electromagnetic device which can be activated so that the ferromagnetic section on the continuum arm robot is attracted to the electromagnetic device.

A continuum arm robot comprising: a tool, a tip section comprising a number of sections a manipulatable robotic section having multiple degrees of freedom, a stiffening section comprising a passive core with an inflatable section surrounding the passive core and a valve for allowing a fluid into the inflatable outer; and a passive section comprising a length of flexible conduit, wherein the core of the passive section and the stiffening section contain the cables for manipulating the tip section and the fluid conduit for supplying the fluid to the inflatable outer.

There is provided an information processing apparatus and an information processing method to increase movement patterns of an autonomous mobile body more easily, the information processing apparatus including an operation control unit configured to control an operation of a driving unit. The operation control unit generates, on the basis of a teaching movement, control sequence data for causing a driving unit of an autonomous mobile body to execute an autonomous movement corresponding to the teaching movement, and causes the driving unit to execute the autonomous movement according to the control sequence data, on the basis of an action plan determined by situation estimation. The information processing method includes controlling, by a processor, an operation of a driving unit, and the controlling further includes generating control sequence data, and causing the driving unit to execute an autonomous movement according to the control sequence data.

A robotic surgical system includes a hydraulic drive system and a surgical instrument removably positioned in operative engagement with the hydraulic drive system.

A horizontal articulated robot is provided, which includes a first connecting part disposed between two of the arms and rotatably connecting the other arm to one arm, a second connecting part disposed between a pedestal and the arm and rotatably connecting the arm to the pedestal, and a ring member disposed between the first connecting part and the arm and formed so that, as compared with one of end part sides in an extending direction of the arms, a height dimension thereof becomes larger at the other end part side.

The invention relates to a machine tool (M) comprising a kinematic structure (100) that moves an electric spindle (300) in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the electric spindle (300), notable in that said kinematic structure (100) is an articulated structure comprising two articulated arms (110, 120) articulated about axes of rotation parallel to the axis of the electric spindle (300), the second end (122) of the second arm (120) accepting the electric spindle (300), the translational movement of the workpiece (P) with respect to the tool (O) of the electric spindle (300) in a linear movement parallel to the axis of the electric spindle (300) being brought about by a workpiece (P) support module (200) or by a plate support module (130).