A drive system (1) which is designed in particular as a robot (1a) and which has a fluid-operated linear drive (2), on the drive unit (7) of which linear drive, which drive unit can be driven so as to perform a drive movement (8), there is mounted an electrically and fluidically operable working unit (3). The linear drive (2) is equipped with a control valve device (16) which can be actuated by means of an internal electronic control device (32) in order to move the drive unit (7). Two drive pressure sensor devices (113) and a travel measuring device (114) are connected to the internal electronic control device (32), such that a position-controlled operation of the drive unit (8) is possible. The drive system (1) furthermore includes a flexible electrical cable arrangement (97) and a flexible fluid hose arrangement (95), which are fixed to the drive unit (7) and which serve for the supply of electricity and fluid to the working unit (3).

An artificial muscle tentacle and method for manufacturing an artificial muscle tentacle, and a computer readable medium for controlling an artificial muscle tentacle are disclosed. The artificial muscle tentacle includes two spacers and a central core that connects the two spacers. The artificial muscle tentacle also includes at least two Z-Twist actuators and at least two S-Twist actuators. The Z-Twist actuators and the S-Twist actuators are disposed around the central core and in between the two spacers connecting the two spacers. The actuation of one or more of the Z-Twist actuators and the S-Twist actuators actuates the artificial muscle tentacle.

A robot device of the present disclosure includes at least one artificial muscle that operates by being supplied with liquid; and a liquid supply device that supplies and discharges the liquid to/from the artificial muscle, and the liquid supply device includes: a liquid storage part that stores the liquid; a pressure regulating valve that regulates pressure of the liquid from the liquid storage part and supplies the liquid to the artificial muscle; and a liquid keeping part that allows the artificial muscle to keep the liquid supplied to the artificial muscle, according to occurrence of an abnormality, and the liquid supply device can allow the artificial muscle that operates by being supplied with liquid to operate properly.

The pneumatic solar tracking system for solar panels adjusts the angular orientation of a solar panel to maximize exposure of an upper surface of the solar panel to incident solar radiation from the sun as the sun moves across the sky. The pneumatic solar tracking system includes a base and a platform supported above the base. The platform has an opening formed therein. A plurality of pneumatic actuators are supported on the base beneath the opening formed in the platform. The solar panel is supported on an upper surface of the platform, and a plurality of pivotal connectors pivotally connect the lower surface of the solar panel to respective pistons of the plurality of pneumatic actuators. Each of the pivotal connectors pivots along at least two orthogonal axes. An optical sensor is provided for detecting and tracking the angular position of the sun.

An artificial muscle tentacle and method for manufacturing an artificial muscle tentacle, and a computer readable medium for controlling an artificial muscle tentacle are disclosed. The artificial muscle tentacle includes two spacers and a central core that connects the two spacers. The artificial muscle tentacle also includes at least two Z-Twist actuators and at least two S-Twist actuators. The Z-Twist actuators and the S-Twist actuators are disposed around the central core and in between the two spacers connecting the two spacers. The actuation of one or more of the Z-Twist actuators and the S-Twist actuators actuates the artificial muscle tentacle.

The present disclosure discloses an automated calibration system and calibration method for a flexible robot actuator. The calibration system includes a support frame. A visual positioning system, a pressure measuring system and a pneumatic pressure control system are respectively installed on the support frame. The visual positioning system is configured to measure a relative displacement and an angle between two ends of the flexible actuator. The pneumatic pressure control system is configured to charge air into an actuating end of the flexible actuator and measure an input pneumatic pressure of the flexible actuator. The pressure measuring system includes a pressure gauge installed on the support frame through a vertical axis motor system, and the flexible actuator to be calibrated installed on the support frame through a horizontal axis motor system and a rotating motor system. The rotating motor system is installed on the support frame through the horizontal axis motor system, the actuating end of the flexible actuator is fixed on the rotating motor system, and a free end of the flexible actuator is in contact with a measuring end of the pressure gauge to carry out pressure measurement. The calibration system is high in accuracy and simple to use.