A 3D position and orientation calculation and robotic application structure using an inertial measuring unit and string—encoder positions sensors.

The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for controlling a flexible manipulator including a plurality of bendable mechanisms via a control apparatus. The control apparatus includes a drive-mode selecting unit allows for the selection of a movement mode which may provide a bending movement, an angled view movement, or a remote center movement.

A method is provided for constructing a robotic arm including a plurality of links and a rope assembly. The method includes providing the rope assembly having a rope with a plurality of rope bearings threaded thereon; and attaching the plurality of rope bearings of the rope assembly to the plurality of links of the robotic arm.

A method is provided for constructing a robotic arm including a plurality of links and a rope assembly. The method includes providing the rope assembly having a rope with a plurality of rope bearings threaded thereon; and attaching the plurality of rope bearings of the rope assembly to the plurality of links of the robotic arm.

A computer vision camera sensor apparatus for motorized winches capable of monitoring multiple conditions relating to the cable and drum and a processing system capable of analyzing the camera sensor output to identify multiple conditions relating to the winch cable and drum and initiate appropriate control signals to the winch to protect the equipment and loads supported by the hoist.

The invention has for its object to provide a manipulator and manipulator system in which a dynamic surplus is rapidly removed and a moving assembly actuates rapidly in association with the operation of an operating assembly. The manipulator 1 includes an operating assembly 2 operated by an operator, a moving assembly 3 operated by the operating assembly 2, a transmitting assembly 4 for coupling the operating assembly 2 to the moving assembly 3 to transmit driving force of the operating assembly 2 to the moving assembly 3, and a transmission compensating assembly 6 for making up for a dynamic surplus occurring in the transmitting assembly 4 in association with the operation of the operating assembly 2.

A manipulator and manipulator system in which a dynamic surplus is rapidly removed and a moving part actuates rapidly in association with the operation of an operating part. The manipulator includes an operating part operated by an operator, a moving part operated by the operating part, a transmitting part for coupling the operating part to the moving part to transmit driving force of the operating part to the moving part, a transmission compensating part for making up for a dynamic surplus occurring in the transmitting part in association with the operation of the operating part, an input part for acquiring a state of at least one of the operating, moving and transmitting part, and a control unit for controlling the transmission compensating part depending on the state acquired by the input part.

The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for controlling a flexible manipulator including a plurality of bendable mechanisms via a control apparatus. The control apparatus includes a drive-mode selecting unit allows for the selection of a movement mode which may provide a bending movement, an angled view movement, or a remote center movement.

A medical manipulator system including: a manipulator with a flexible insertion portion, a movable part at a distal end of the insertion portion, a detachable drive unit at a proximal end of the insertion portion, and a pair of tension transmission members transmitting a driving force generated in the drive unit to move the movable part; an input unit inputting an operation command for the manipulator; and a control unit controlling the drive unit based on the input operation command, the drive unit having a displacement sensor detecting displacement direction and amount of the tension transmission members and a tension-difference sensor detecting a tension difference between the tension transmission members, the control unit has a storage unit storing characteristics of the tension transmission members and a setting unit setting a control parameter for controlling the drive unit based on the characteristics and the detected tension difference, displacement amount and direction.

The claimed subject matter includes techniques for controlling lines. An example method includes receiving power at a motor to rotate a control surface and a line brace. The method also includes receiving programmed movements at a control circuit. The method further includes receiving a controlled force based on the programmed movements to arrange a skate in a predetermined position along a skate track in a skate surface. The method also includes rotating the control surface to cause a peg ramp on the control surface to move a peg in the skate towards a wedge fixed to a line. The method further includes causing the line to move to a new position along the direction of the skate track via a force of the peg against the wedge.