Abstract: Disclosed herein is an impedance control system for a robot arm. The system is able to provide at least two different levels of stiffness/compliance, and values for stiffness/compliance in the can be independently defined and set in at least first and second directions. Specifically, this allows the stiffness in said first direction to be set at a lower value than the stiffness in said second direction within the control system.

Abstract: An instrumented tool for surface finishing of a work-piece, the instrumented tool comprising: a tool configured to be spun and brought into contact with the work-piece while spinning; a spindle configured to provide a spinning torque to spin the tool; a flexible coupler provided between the spindle and the tool to transmit only spinning torque of the spindle to the tool; a rigid connection provided between the spindle and the tool in parallel to the flexible coupler; and a multi-axis force/torque/strain/pressure sensor attached to at least the rigid connection; wherein the rigid connection and the multi-axis force/torque sensor are decoupled from spinning of the spindle and the tool, and wherein the multi-axis force/torque sensor is configured to measure at least one of: contact force and torque between the tool and the work-piece.

Abstract: An instrumented tool for surface finishing of a work-piece, the instrumented tool comprising: a tool configured to be spun and brought into contact with the work-piece while spinning; a spindle configured to provide a spinning torque to spin the tool; a flexible coupler provided between the spindle and the tool to transmit only spinning torque of the spindle to the tool; a rigid connection provided between the spindle and the tool in parallel to the flexible coupler; and a multi-axis force/torque/strain/pressure sensor attached to at least the rigid connection; wherein the rigid connection and the multi-axis force/torque sensor are decoupled from spinning of the spindle and the tool, and wherein the multi-axis force/torque sensor is configured to measure at least one of: contact force and torque between the tool and the work-piece.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for upper body movement. The apparatus comprises a H-shaped cable-driven mechanism; two motors for driving the H-shaped cable-driven mechanism; and a manipulandum coupled to the H-shaped cable-driven mechanism for independent movement along x and y axes.

Abstract: A motorized device arranged to move using cyclic motion is disclosed. The device includes a motorized means; at least one limb coupled to the motorized means, and configured to be driven by the motorized means for moving the device; and a resilient biasing means coupled to the at least one limb to further drive the at least one limb using mechanical resonance. A related method of moving the motorized device is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for upper body movement. The apparatus comprises a H-shaped cable-driven mechanism; two motors for driving the H-shaped cable-driven mechanism; and a manipulandum coupled to the H-shaped cable-driven mechanism for independent movement along x and y axes.

Abstract: A motorised device arranged to move using cyclic motion is disclosed. The device includes a motorised means; at least one limb coupled to the motorised means, and configured to be driven by the motorised means for moving the device; and a resilient biasing means coupled to the at least one limb to further drive the at least one limb using mechanical resonance. A related method of moving the motorised device is also disclosed.