There is disclosed a stretchable sensor system for measuring deformation of an elastomer, the stretchable sensor system comprising at least one magnet; at least one magnetic sensor, each having a sensor output; and a controller, wherein the at least one magnet is/are fixed to the elastomer at a respective first location or plurality of locations and the at least one magnetic sensor is/are fixed to the elastomer at a respective second location or plurality of locations, such that the or each magnetic sensor is located in magnetic proximity to a respective said magnet, and wherein the controller is operable: to receive sensor data from the sensor output of the or each magnetic sensor; to process the received sensor data in dependence on the first and second locations or plurality of locations to determine a positional relationship between the or each magnet and the respective magnetic sensor; and to compute a deformation of the elastomer in dependence on the determined positional relationship between the or each magnet and the respective magnetic sensor. The present invention has particular application to soft robotics and closed loop control thereof.

A pneumatic circuit for controlling the activation of a robot with inflatable chambers includes at least one ring oscillator formed from a plurality of valves connected in series to selectively admit fluid pressure to inflate and deflate the chambers. Sequential actuation of the valves induces sequential bending and rotation of combinations of the chambers to effect motion. A switching valve changes the actuation sequence of the oscillator valves to change the direction of motion.

A soft structure fiber reinforcement and actuation technology is provided. In an example embodiment, the tendon-driven, fiber-reinforced elastomer membrane comprises an elastomer matrix material and a fiber array embedded within the elastomer matrix material. The one or more tendons are not mechanically bonded to the elastomer matrix material, such that the one or more embedded tendons are able to move through the elastomer matrix material. One or more apparatuses may employ one or more such tendon-driven, fiber-reinforced elastomer membranes for use in a variety of applications.

A method of constructing an inflatable fluidic actuator. The method includes coupling a first interface to a tube configuration of membrane material at a first tube end by coupling the first interface to the tube configuration at the first tube end by generating at least one of: a first bond between the membrane material and one or more first sidewalls of the first interface and a first external face bond between membrane material at the first tube end onto a first external face of the first interface.

A soft pneumatic module includes a first frame defining a first path portion, a second frame opposite to the first frame and defining a second path portion, a retainer connected to the first frame and the second frame, a plurality of first crease parts disposed along a circumference of the first frame at two sides of the retainer and obliquely disposed inward from the first frame, and a plurality of second crease parts connected to the plurality of first crease parts and the second frame, disposed along a circumference of the second frame at the two sides of the retainer, and expanded along with the plurality of first crease parts as a fluid is injected into the soft pneumatic module.

A feeding device for a manipulator arm has at least one joint, in particular of an industrial robot, having a flexible cable package via which at least one process medium can be fed at least substantially along the end effector of the manipulator arm and having a flexibly slack guide cover element enclosing the cable package. A stiffening device having a holding device is provided, which is arranged in a fixed position on the flexibly slack guide cover element. At least one stiffening element held by the holding device is provided, which, in an activated state of the stiffening device, is acted upon by stiffening energy such that the flexibly slack guide cover element and consequently the cable package are stiffened by the stiffening element.

A soft robotic gripper having component parts capable of being assembled in the field at the terminus of an industrial robot arm for providing adaptive gripping of a product. A hub includes a pneumatic inlet leading to outlets. Finger mounts with pneumatic passages hold inflatable fingers, and tension fastener(s) secure and compress the finger mounts toward the hub by passing through the pneumatic passages and fastening under tension in a direction of the hub.

Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in scissors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.

The invention relates to exoskeletons and artificial muscles for soft exoskeletons (1). The muscle (21, 22, 23, 24) comprises a first (211, 221, 231, 241) and second (212, 222, 232, 242) tendon, each comprising an attachment means (227) for attachment of said muscle to a muscle connector (32) of the exoskeleton (1), and a muscle core (223) made of a deformable material extending between said first (211, 221, 231, 241) and second (212, 222, 232, 242) tendon, the muscle core (223) preferably comprising an outer sleeve (225); wherein each of the first (211, 221, 231, 241) and second tendon (212, 222, 232, 242) is adapted for receiving a respective end of said muscle core (223); wherein the first tendon (211, 221, 231, 241) preferably comprises an actuation interface (229) for connection of said muscle core (223) to an actuator for generating an actuation; wherein the muscle core (223) is adapted to undergo a change in length when being actuated, thereby causing the first (211, 221, 231, 241) and second (212, 222, 232, 242) tendon to move towards each other when said actuation received via the actuation interface is on or increased, and to move away from each other when said actuation is off or reduced.

The present disclosure describes one or more embodiments of a device for localized flow control. The device includes a plunger configured to slide along a longitudinal axis; a gate connecting to a proximal end of the plunger and configured to slide with the plunger; a spacer disposed along the longitudinal axis and on a same side with the gate relative to the plunger; a soft tube disposed in a gap between the spacer and a proximal end of the gate; and a plunger controller configured to slide the plunger between a closed position and an open position. In response to the plunger at the open position, the device is at an open state configured to allow a flow in the soft tube, and in response to the plunger at the closed position, the device is at a closed state configured to cut off the flow in the soft tube.