A nanoscale positioning apparatus with a large stroke and multiple degrees of freedom and a control method thereof are provided. The nanoscale positioning apparatus includes a base, a plurality of parallel branch chain mechanisms and a working table. Each of the parallel branch chain mechanisms includes an electric cylinder, a micro-motion drive mechanism, a laser interferometer, a grating measuring device, a self-locking upper hinge and a self-locking lower hinge. The top of the base is connected to one end of the electric cylinder through the self-locking lower hinge. The other end of the electric cylinder is connected to one end of the micro-motion drive mechanism. The other end of the micro-motion drive mechanism is connected to the bottom of the working table through the self-locking upper hinge. The positioning apparatus has multiple degrees of freedom, and realizes multi-degree-of-freedom arbitrary position adjustment of the working table through parallel branch chain mechanisms.

A vertical articulated robot includes a plurality of joint axis portions configured to rotationally drive a plurality of arms. The plurality of joint axis portions include a narrow joint axis portion. In the narrow joint axis portion, at least one of at least a portion of a brake or an oil seal is arranged inside a recess.

A toothed safe braking apparatus for use in robotic joint, comprising an electromagnetic telescoping apparatus (6) and a friction engagement component (10). The friction engagement component (10) is mounted on a shaft (C) of the robotic joint and comprises a brake lock ring gear (1) provided with a first center fitting hole (12), the brake lock ring gear (1) being provided with teeth (11) arranged on the outer circumferential surface thereof, a pretension ring (2) provided with a second center fitting hole (13), and a brake hub (4) provided with a first end surface (14), a second end surface (15), and an outer circumferential surface (16). On a locked position, a working bit (17) of the electromagnetic telescoping appamtus (6) can be engaged with the teeth (11) on the brake lock ring gear (1) of the friction engagement component (10); and, on an unlocked position, the working bit (17) of the electromagnetic telescoping apparatus (6) can be disengaged from the teeth (11) on the brake lock ring gear (1) of the friction engagement component (10). The brake lock ring gear (1) and the pretension ring (2) are arranged in parallel via the first fitting hole (12) and the second fitting hole (13) to be friction engaged on the outer circumferential surface (16) of the brake hub (4).

An exoskeleton system that includes at least one actuator unit having an upper arm and a lower arm that are rotatably coupled via a joint and a fluidic actuator that extends between the upper arm and the lower arm.

An automated transforming tooling system apparatus and method for shuttling a workpiece to and from an industrial operation. The system includes a workstation for complementarily engaging and securing the workpiece, and at least one holder removably secures at least on end effector tool to the workstation. At least one transfer bar is movably positioned with respect to the workstation. At least one automated transforming tooling assembly is connected to the transfer bar and has a plurality of links adjustably connected by motorized joints to automatically position the automated transforming tooling assembly. An automated tool changer is connected to the automated transforming tooling assembly and releasably engages the end effector tool between a disengaged position, wherein the end effector tool is disengaged from the automated tool changer, and an engaged position, wherein the end effector tool is engaged by the automated tool changer.

A method for operating a picking robot comprising an end effector assembly and a vision assembly, and related controller device is disclosed, the method comprising picking a subject with the end effector assembly from a bin comprising a plurality of subjects; moving the subject to a delivery station; and releasing the subject on the delivery station, wherein the method comprises locking a joint connection of the end effector assembly prior to and/or during the act of moving the subject to the delivery station.

A magnetorheological (MR) actuator device comprising two or more MR actuator units. Each of the MR actuator units may include a motor, an MR fluid clutch apparatus operatively coupled to the motor to receive torque from the motor, the MR fluid clutch apparatus operable to generate a variable amount of torque transmission when subjected to a magnetic field. An output member is provided, a transmission operatively coupling the at least two MR actuator units to the output member, for the output member to receive torque from the MR actuator units. A controller for controlling the two or more MR actuator units to drive the output member, the controller driving the output member in at least an antagonistic mode in which the MR actuator units transmit torque in opposite directions to the output member. A collaborative mode may be provided to combined the torque of the two or more MR actuator units in a common direction on the output member.

A rotary axis module includes an actuator that includes a first member and a second member, the actuator relatively driving the second member so as to rotate about a predetermined axis with respect to the first member, a DC power source, and a switch. The actuator includes a brake that is releasable by supplying a DC voltage. A first brake circuit that is connected to a control device that controls the actuator, and a second brake circuit that is provided in parallel with the first brake circuit and connected to the DC power source via the switch, are connected to the brake.

An example rotational joint assembly for a robotic medical system, the rotational joint assembly comprising at least one arm segment and a rotational joint provided at one end of the arm segment. The rotational joint is to allow the arm segment to rotate about a rotational axis. The rotational joint comprising a brake to lock rotation of the arm segment at the rotational joint and an actuator to selectively engage or disengage the brake. The actuator comprising a cam having two stable regions separated by two transition regions, the two stable regions comprising a first stable region corresponding to engagement of the brake and a second stable region corresponding to disengagement of the brake.

A linear joint includes a motor assembly includes a rotating shaft for outputting motion; a transmission mechanism including a screw and a nut threadedly connected to the screw, the nut being coaxial with respect to and securely connected to the rotating shaft so as to be rotatable together with the rotating shaft; and a rod connected to a first end of the screw so as to move together with the screw along a lengthwise direction of the screw.