Abstract: An articulated robot arm comprises a plurality of skeleton links. Motorized joint units forming joints between adjacent ones of the skeleton links such that the skeleton links of the adjacent ones are rotatable relative to one another. One or more skin shells are provided for the skeleton links, the skin shell forming a non-structural skin around the at least one of the skeleton links.

Abstract: A method for operating a vision guided robot arm system comprising a robot arm provided with an end effector at a distal end thereof, a display, an image sensor and a controller, the method comprising: receiving from the sensor image an initial image of an area comprising at least one object and displaying the initial image on the display; determining an object of interest amongst the at least one object and identifying the object of interest within the initial image; determining a potential action related to the object of interest and providing a user with an identification of the potential action; receiving a confirmation of the object of interest and the potential action from the user; and automatically moving the robot arm so as to position the end effector of the robot arm at a predefined position relative to the object of interest.

Abstract: A system comprising an articulated robot arm including assembly of links interconnected with motorized joint units at joints between the links for movements of the links relative to one another, one of the links being a base link. A docking cradle is adapted to be connected to a structure and configured for being releasably connected and for supporting the articulated robot arm. A coupling configuration is between the base link and the docking cradle for powering contact to be made. A clamping system includes one or more clamp members and a clamp lever for locking the base link to the docking cradle at the coupling configuration.

Abstract: A motorized joint unit comprises a pair of shells defining an inner cavity, the pair of shells adapted to be connected to adjacent links of an articulated mechanism. A rotor and stator in the inner cavity are actuatable to cause a relative rotation therebetween. A shaft connected to the rotor to rotate with the rotor relative to the stator. A support coupled to the shaft by a mechanism, the support being connected to one of the shells to impart a rotation of the shaft to the shell, the support defining an annular wall. One or more strain gauges are located on said annular wall of the support. A printed circuit board (PCB) is applied against the annular wall and electrically connected to the at least one strain gauge, the PCB adapted to be electrically linked to a controller.

Abstract: An assembly of links and motorized joint unit of a mechanism comprises one or more pairs of links, each said link having a tubular body, at least one end of each of the tubular body being an open end having at least one connector. A motorized joint unit has a first portion received in the open end of the tubular body of a first of the links, the motorized joint unit secured to the at least one connector of the first of the links, a second portion rotatable relative to the first portion by actuation of the motorized joint unit, the second portion received in the open end of the tubular body of a second of the links, the motorized joint unit secured to the at least one connector of the second of the links. A protective sleeve has a tubular body rotatably mounted over the at least one connector of each of the first and the second link, the protective sleeve concealing the connectors and a joint between the pair of links.

Abstract: An articulated robot arm comprises a plurality of skeleton links. Motorized joint units forming joints between adjacent ones of the skeleton links such that the skeleton links of the adjacent ones are rotatable relative to one another. One or more skin shells are provided for the skeleton links, the skin shell forming a non-structural skin around the at least one of the skeleton links.

Abstract: A method for operating a vision guided robot arm system comprising a robot arm provided with an end effector at a distal end thereof, a display, an image sensor and a controller, the method comprising: receiving from the sensor image an initial image of an area comprising at least one object and displaying the initial image on the display; determining an object of interest amongst the at least one object and identifying the object of interest within the initial image; determining a potential action related to the object of interest and providing a user with an identification of the potential action; receiving a confirmation of the object of interest and the potential action from the user; and automatically moving the robot arm so as to position the end effector of the robot arm at a predefined position relative to the object of interest.

Abstract: A system comprising an articulated robot arm including assembly of links interconnected with motorized joint units at joints between the links for movements of the links relative to one another, one of the links being a base link. A docking cradle is adapted to be connected to a structure and configured for being releasably connected and for supporting the articulated robot arm. A coupling configuration is between the base link and the docking cradle for powering contact to be made. A clamping system includes one or more clamp members and a clamp lever for locking the base link to the docking cradle at the coupling configuration.

Abstract: A motorized joint unit comprises a pair of shells defining an inner cavity, the pair of shells adapted to be connected to adjacent links of an articulated mechanism. A rotor and stator in the inner cavity are actuatable to cause a relative rotation therebetween. A shaft connected to the rotor to rotate with the rotor relative to the stator. A support coupled to the shaft by a mechanism, the support being connected to one of the shells to impart a rotation of the shaft to the shell, the support defining an annular wall. One or more strain gauges are located on said annular wall of the support. A printed circuit board (PCB) is applied against the annular wall and electrically connected to the at least one strain gauge, the PCB adapted to be electrically linked to a controller.

Abstract: A motorized joint unit of a mechanism comprises a rotor assembly and a stator assembly operatively assembled and configured for being secured to respective links of the mechanism. The rotor assembly and the stator assembly respectively include a rotor and a stator concurrently operable to cause a rotation of a rotor of the rotor assembly relative to a stator of the stator assembly about a rotational axis, a receiving volume delimited by one of the rotor assembly and stator assembly, the rotational axis passing through the receiving volume. A brake assembly is located at least partially in the receiving volume and comprising a brake plunger having a brake surface for brakingly engaging with a corresponding surface of the rotor assembly, the brake plunger displaceable in translation in the brake assembly, and a solenoid coil actuatable to displace the brake plunger against the rotor assembly.

Abstract: An assembly of links and motorized joint unit of a mechanism comprises one or more pairs of links, each said link having a tubular body, at least one end of each of the tubular body being an open end having at least one connector. A motorized joint unit has a first portion received in the open end of the tubular body of a first of the links, the motorized joint unit secured to the at least one connector of the first of the links, a second portion rotatable relative to the first portion by actuation of the motorized joint unit, the second portion received in the open end of the tubular body of a second of the links, the motorized joint unit secured to the at least one connector of the second of the links. A protective sleeve has a tubular body rotatably mounted over the at least one connector of each of the first and the second link, the protective sleeve concealing the connectors and a joint between the pair of links.

Abstract: A motorized joint unit of a mechanism comprises a rotor assembly and a stator assembly operatively assembled and configured for being secured to respective links of the mechanism. The rotor assembly and the stator assembly respectively include a rotor and a stator concurrently operable to cause a rotation of a rotor of the rotor assembly relative to a stator of the stator assembly about a rotational axis, a receiving volume delimited by one of the rotor assembly and stator assembly, the rotational axis passing through the receiving volume. A brake assembly is located at least partially in the receiving volume and comprising a brake plunger having a brake surface for brakingly engaging with a corresponding surface of the rotor assembly, the brake plunger displaceable in translation in the brake assembly, and a solenoid coil actuatable to displace the brake plunger against the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A mechanical finger comprises at least two phalanges. The phalanges have tubular bodies made of a semi-rigid material. One phalange is adapted to be secured to a base. Another phalange is connected to an adjacent phalange for pivoting movement with respect to the adjacent phalange. A skeleton member in the tubular bodies of the phalanges moves to actuate the pivoting motion of the phalanges with respect to one another. The skeleton member is connected to a degree of actuation to cause the pivoting motion of the phalanges with respect to one another. An assembly is also provided. The assembly comprises at least two of the mechanical finger, a palm actuator comprising a base for connection of the base phalange of each mechanical finger, and at least one degree of actuation connected to the skeleton member. The degree of actuation causes a grasping movement of the mechanical fingers.

Abstract: A mechanical finger comprises at least two phalanges. The phalanges have tubular bodies made of a semi-rigid material. One phalange is adapted to be secured to a base. Another phalange is connected to an adjacent phalange for pivoting movement with respect to the adjacent phalange. A skeleton member in the tubular bodies of the phalanges moves to actuate the pivoting motion of the phalanges with respect to one another. The skeleton member is connected to a degree of actuation to cause the pivoting motion of the phalanges with respect to one another. An assembly is also provided. The assembly comprises at least two of the mechanical finger, a palm actuator comprising a base for connection of the base phalange of each mechanical finger, and at least one degree of actuation connected to the skeleton member. The degree of actuation causes a grasping movement of the mechanical fingers.

Abstract: A portable robotic arm comprises a base, a plurality of motorized joints, a plurality of body members and a manipulator. Each motorized joint is operative to rotate in its respective rotation plane and on its respective joint axis, which is normal to the respective rotating plane. Each body member is sequentially connected to one other body member through one of the motorized joints. A last body member is connected to the base through a last motorized joint. A manipulator is connected to a first body member through a first motorized joint. At least two consecutive rotation planes are placed at an angle from each other that is greater than 0 degrees and smaller than 90 degrees. Optionally, the manipulator comprises three fingers and a tool port centered between the three fingers. A tool connected in the manipulator's tool port may be gripped with the three fingers. The robotic arm and a wheelchair support for the robotic arm may also be provided as a kit.