A method of operating an exoskeleton system that includes obtaining at an exoskeleton device, sensor data from one or more sensors; and determining, by the exoskeleton device based at least in part on the sensor data, one or more states, including one or more of: at least one state of the exoskeleton system; at least one state of a user wearing the exoskeleton system; and at least one state of a location where the user and exoskeleton system are located. The method further includes determining, by the exoskeleton device, a response based at least in part on the determined one or more states; and generating the response by the exoskeleton device causing actuation of the exoskeleton system.

Stabilization mechanisms may include at least one gripper mounted to a powerline-crawling robot, which may be configured to grasp a powerline supporting the powerline-crawling robot. At least one controller may be configured to control a lateral position of the at least one gripper. At least one inertial measurement unit may be configured to sense at least one of lateral movement and axial rotation of the powerline-crawling robot. The controller may control the lateral position of the gripper based on data from the inertial measurement unit. Various other related systems, devices, mechanisms, and methods are also disclosed.

A rotary actuator may include a first holder in which a fluid injecting portion is formed, a second holder rotatably coupled to the first holder, a flexible body fixed to the first holder and the second holder and configured to expand as a fluid is injected through the first holder, and a plurality of fibers radially disposed in a spiral shape at the flexible body and configured to rotate the flexible body when the flexible body expands.

A fulcrum opening/closing type air chuck includes porous bodies that are attached to a body and come into contact with fingers, and purge air passes through the porous bodies and is discharged to the outside.

A robotic end-effector to provide an anthropomorphic hand with a dorsal actuation system. The hand has a substantially planar palm and fingers extending from the palm and capable of flexion and extension relative to the palm. The dorsal actuation system is supported on the palm and fingers, with actuators positioned at a dorsal side of the palm and links positioned at a dorsal side of the fingers.

Hydraulic rotary actuator disposes entry and exit lines of the hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic rotary actuator and comprises a floating member with a hollow portion, a rotating member configured to be inserted into the hollow portion, a working fluid supplied to said hollow portion, a servo control valve connected to said floating member configured to control the flow rate, an entry line connected to said servo control valve and further connecting said servo control valve to said floating member, said entry line forming a through-hole that penetrates through said floating member and forming a supply passage for said working fluid, an exit line connecting said hollow portion to said servo control valve and further thereon to outside of floating member, said exit line forming a through-hole that penetrates through said floating member and forming a discharge passage for said working fluid.

A robotic end-effector to provide an anthropomorphic hand with a dorsal actuation system. The hand has a substantially planar palm and fingers extending from the palm and capable of flexion and extension relative to the palm. The dorsal actuation system is supported on the palm and fingers, with actuators positioned at a dorsal side of the palm and links positioned at a dorsal side of the fingers.

A gripper head assembly is for a robotic gripping system and includes an actuator. The actuator includes: an actuator body having an attachment region configured to attach the actuator body to the gripper head; a drive element having a mounting section for a tool; a drive having a connector configured to receive an input; the drive being configured to move the drive element upon receiving the input; the drive element defining a through passage; the through passage having a first port for receiving at least one of negative pressure and positive pressure; and, the through passage having an outlet at the mounting section configured to supply the tool with the at least one of negative and positive pressure.

There is disclosed a rotary actuator apparatus for hydraulically or pneumatically rotating a robotic joint. In an embodiment the apparatus comprises: a curved piston rotatably coupled to an axel shaft, and positioned within a curved piston chamber; resilient barrier modules are adapted to separate the curved piston within the curved piston chamber from first and second hydraulic or pneumatic chambers on either side of the curved piston chamber; whereby, in use, the curved piston is configured to rotate about the axel shaft upon hydraulic or pneumatic pressure being applied to at least one of the first and second hydraulic or pneumatic chambers.

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a multi-axis rotary actuator that includes a first rotary piston actuator configured to controllably actuate a first pivotal joint between a first linkage to a second linkage about a first axis, and a second rotary piston actuator configured to controllably actuate a second pivotal joint connecting the second linkage to a third linkage about a second axis.