Device with isotropic planar compliance comprising a floating body (2) positioned between a first (3) and second frame (4), said floating body having an extended portion (21) protruding through the first frame, at least a row of caged balls (5) supporting the floating body, at least one elastic element (6) positioned over the extended portion of the floating body, compressed between and connecting the floating body and the first frame. Said caged balls allow the at least one elastic element to laterally deform, so that their axis bends, while the ends of said at least one elastic element lay on two parallel planes, which remain at constant distance while sliding one with respect to the other. The device comprises also at least one displacement sensor (10), for measuring the displacement of the floating body with respect to the first or second frame.

A force sensor module includes multiple force sensors disposed in series. The force sensors each include multiple sensor sections, a support substrate, and an organic member. The multiple sensor sections have respective force detection directions different from each other. The support substrate is separately provided for each of the force sensors and supports the multiple sensor sections. The organic member is provided in common to the force sensors. The organic member fixes the multiple force sensors in series and has a groove at a location corresponding to a gap between two support substrates adjacent to each other. The organic member is flexible.

Aspects of the disclosure include a torque sensor arrangement configured to attach between a first part and a second part to sense torque therebetween, the torque sensor arrangement comprising an interface member having on its exterior an engagement configuration configured to rotationally engage the first part, a torsion member comprising a deflectable body attached at one end thereof to the interface member and comprising, at the other end of the deflectable body, an engagement configuration configured to fixedly engage the second part, and a deflection sensor attached to the deflectable body, wherein the interface member defines a rigid sleeve extending around the deflectable body and the torque sensor arrangement further comprises a bushing located between and in contact with both the sleeve and the deflectable body.

A force sensor device includes a strain generator including a first fixed part secured to a portion transmitting rotational driving force or a portion to which the rotational driving force is transmitted, a second fixed part secured to the portion to which the driving force is transmitted or the portion transmitting the driving force, and a joining part that joins the first fixed part to the second fixed part; a strain detecting sensor that detects deformation in the joining part; and a support member provided with a base secured to the second fixed part, wherein the support member includes a regulator and a protrusion, and wherein, in a support part of the first fixed part, a groove is formed by cutting the support part from an inner surface in a radial direction toward an outer surface, and the protrusion of the support member is inserted into the groove.

A tactile sensor including a camera positioned to capture images of marks. An elastically deformable skin including an outer surface having attributes and an undersurface having pins, ridges, or both. Each undersurface pin or ridge includes a mark. A processor detects displacement of the marks in captured images and compares the displaced positions of the marks in the captured images to stored sets of prelearned positions of marks, based on a distance function, to determine a quality of match value for each set of the prelearned positions of marks. A best quality matched prelearned pattern of forces is determined using a user selected function, to calculate a best matching set of the prelearned positions of marks. Identify a pattern of forces acting on the elastically deformable skin based on the determined best matched prelearned pattern of forces.

A robot includes a base installed on an installation surface, a robot arm coupled to the base, a force detection section coupled to the base and detecting a force applied to the robot arm, a coupling member having a plurality of convex parts provided between the installation surface and the force detection section, projecting toward the force detection section side, and contacting the force detection section, and first fixing members provided in positions where the convex parts are provided and fixing the force detection section and the coupling member.

A piezoelectric sensor includes an elastic body having a first surface, a regulatory section which is disposed at a position where the regulatory section faces the first surface of the elastic body, and which is configured to limit a deformation of the elastic body, and a first piezoelectric element which is partially fixed to the regulatory section, and which deforms in accordance with the deformation of the elastic body, wherein the first piezoelectric element outputs a voltage signal which increases and decreases from a reference voltage in accordance with a direction of the deformation.

A robotic arm comprising an operation end, a base, a sensor unit and a control unit is provided. The operation end is connected to the base, and the operation end is configured to reach an operational area. The sensor unit provides a sensor signal according to the force applied by or the motion of an operator. When the operation end reaches the operational area, the control unit sets a fixed position on the robotic arm between the base and the operation end. When the sensor signal from the operator fulfills a default condition, the control unit moves the robotic arm away from the operator, without moving the fixed position on the robotic arm.

A force sensor has a sensing system including a target piece and a sensing element, configured to provide changes of a magnetic field, being generated by motion of the target piece. The sensing element senses these changes and provides a signal representative of the position of the target piece. An integrated circuit with processing means can process signals from the sensing element. A semiconductor package includes at least the integrated circuit. A flexible piece includes the target, and it is attached to the semiconductor package. The attachment area between the flexible piece and the semiconductor package does not extend beyond the top projection, or outline, of the semiconductor package. The flexible piece receives a force stimulus, so that upon exerting a force on the flexible piece, the displacement of the target piece with respect to the surface of the semiconductor package can be sensed by the sensing element.

A system for calibrating a deformable sensor is provided. The system includes a deformable sensor including a housing, a deformable membrane coupled to an upper portion of the housing, and an enclosure defined by the housing and the deformable member; an imaging sensor configured to capture an image of the deformable membrane of the deformable sensor; and a controller. The enclosure is configured to be filled with a medium. The controller is configured to: receive the image of the deformable membrane of the deformable sensor; determine whether a contour of the deformable membrane in the image of the deformable membrane of the deformable sensor corresponds to a predetermined contour; and adjust a volume of the medium in the enclosure of the deformable sensor in response to the determination that the contour of the deformable membrane is different from the predetermined contour.