[Object] To provide a hybrid actuator attaining both driving force and responsiveness, capable of reducing inertia of a movable portion.

[Solution] A pneumatic air muscle has a cylinder (112) provided in a flexible member (100) forming a pneumatic artificial muscle. At the center of an upper lid element (109) of the cylinder, a through hole is opened, and an inner wire (103) of a Bowden cable passes through this through hole and is coupled by means of a spring (106) to a bottom portion of the cylinder. When the pneumatic artificial muscle contracts, the inner wire (103) and the pneumatic air muscle move together because of the stopper (105), and the contraction force is transmitted. In contrast, when the pneumatic air muscle extends, the stopper (105) is disengaged, while the tension of inner wire (103) is kept by the spring (106) to prevent slacking.

An example robot includes a first hydraulic actuator cylinder connecting a first member to a second member, where the first hydraulic actuator cylinder comprises a first piston and a first chamber. A second hydraulic actuator cylinder connects the first member to the second member, where the second hydraulic actuator cylinder comprises a second piston and a second chamber. A valve system controls hydraulic fluid flow between a hydraulic supply line of pressurized hydraulic fluid, the first and second chambers, and a return line. A controller is configured to determine a gait state of the robot, and based on the determined gait state, provide a signal to the valve system.

Disclosed is a hexapod system including first and second supports and six linear actuators. Each linear actuator has an articulated end on the first and second supports, with a swivel connection with a force-absorbing structure embedded in the first support and a swivel connection to linear actuators articulated on the first support, and one of the first and second supports includes a connector that cooperates with the force-absorbing structure. The connector cooperates with a second force-absorbing structure of a second hexapod system, and the two hexapod systems mount in series.

A fluidic solar actuation system comprising a plurality of fluidic solar actuators that each include a first fluidic inflatable actuator, and a second fluidic inflatable actuator. The system also includes a fluidic routing system configured to covey a fluid originating from a fluid source to: the respective first fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the first fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the first fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the second fluidic inflatable actuators, and the respective second fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the second fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the second fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the first fluidic inflatable actuators.

A fluidic solar actuation system comprising a plurality of fluidic solar actuators that each include a first fluidic inflatable actuator, and a second fluidic inflatable actuator. The system also includes a fluidic routing system configured to covey a fluid originating from a fluid source to: the respective first fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the first fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the first fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the second fluidic inflatable actuators, and the respective second fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the second fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the second fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the first fluidic inflatable actuators.

A solar actuator system comprising at least one actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes: a top coupler; an angled bottom coupler having a top-end and respective first and second faces on opposing first and second sides of the top-end, the angled bottom coupler coupled to the top coupler via a one-degree-of-freedom joint between the top coupler and the angled bottom coupler; and at least a first and second actuator, with the first actuator disposed on the first side of the angled bottom coupler and the second actuator disposed on the second side of the angled bottom coupler.

A robotic system includes a body including at least one attachment mechanism configured to removably couple a modular component to the body. The modular component includes at least one movable part operable to move relative to the body when the modular component is attached to the body. The system includes a communication interface coupled to the body and configured to be communicatively coupled to the modular component to receive information relating to the modular component and operation of the at least one movable part. The system includes a control system coupled to the body and the communication interface. The control system is configured to: in response to the modular component being attached to the body, receive the information from the modular component by way of the communication interface, and operate the at least one movable part of the modular component according to the information.

A robotic system includes a body including at least one attachment mechanism configured to removably couple a modular component to the body. The modular component includes at least one movable part operable to move relative to the body when the modular component is attached to the body. The system includes a communication interface coupled to the body and configured to be communicatively coupled to the modular component to receive information relating to the modular component and operation of the at least one movable part. The system includes a control system coupled to the body and the communication interface. The control system is configured to: in response to the modular component being attached to the body, receive the information from the modular component by way of the communication interface, and operate the at least one movable part of the modular component according to the information.

A solar actuator system comprising at least one actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes: a top coupler; an angled bottom coupler having a top-end and respective first and second faces on opposing first and second sides of the top-end, the angled bottom coupler coupled to the top coupler via a one-degree-of-freedom joint between the top coupler and the angled bottom coupler; and at least a first and second actuator, with the first actuator disposed on the first side of the angled bottom coupler and the second actuator disposed on the second side of the angled bottom coupler.

An intercepting device to inspect a driver including a chassis, an arm mounted on the chassis and articulable between a contracted position and a deployed position, a head assembly mounted on the arm assembly with a camera, a microphone, and a scanner that provides output image, sound, and scan signals commensurate with images, sounds, and documents of the driver, and an electronic control unit operatively coupled to the arm assembly, and the head assembly, and configured to send to the arm actuation signals to articulate the arm from the contracted position to the deployed position, and receive and transmit the output image, sound, and scan signals to a law enforcement electronic device.