Abstract: There is disclosed a stretchable sensor system for measuring deformation of an elastomer, the stretchable sensor system comprising at least one magnet; at least one magnetic sensor, each having a sensor output; and a controller, wherein the at least one magnet is/are fixed to the elastomer at a respective first location or plurality of locations and the at least one magnetic sensor is/are fixed to the elastomer at a respective second location or plurality of locations, such that the or each magnetic sensor is located in magnetic proximity to a respective said magnet, and wherein the controller is operable: to receive sensor data from the sensor output of the or each magnetic sensor; to process the received sensor data in dependence on the first and second locations or plurality of locations to determine a positional relationship between the or each magnet and the respective magnetic sensor; and to compute a deformation of the elastomer in dependence on the determined positional relationship between the or eac

Abstract: This invention relates to a robot to improve the inspection of a pipe or lumen. More particularly, this invention relates to a soft-pneumatic robot for endoscopy that is suitable for performing colonoscopy procedures. The robot of this invention comprises leading and tailing balloons configured for selective inflation to anchor a portion of the robot within the pipe or lumen and a soft-pneumatic actuator that is located between the leading balloon and the trailing balloon. The soft-pneumatic actuator is operable to extend or contract the robot in a longitudinal direction, in addition to positioning the leading balloon in a 360 degree circumference around the longitudinal direction by pneumatically controlling a fluid within a plurality of chambers within the soft-pneumatic actuator.

Abstract: An actuator (1) is described having a first part (4), a second part (2), and a body portion (3) between the first and second parts, wherein the body portion includes at least one chamber (14) configured to be pressurised and the body portion has a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of cables (6,7,8,9), wherein each of the plurality of cables is arranged in a respective at least partial spiral with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body portion (3); and wherein the plurality of cables are arranged such that the application of a selected force to at least one of the cables causes a desired movement of the first part relative to the second part.

Abstract: A transmission system (10) includes a first piston (12), a second piston (14) and a modulator piston (16). The first piston (12) receives an input force (FIN), the second piston (14) transmits an output force (FOUT), and the modulator piston (16) transmits a modulating force (FACT>which modulates the input force (FIN) received by the second piston (14) to implement tremor cancellation and force and/or provide variable motion scaling.

Abstract: An actuator includes first and second ends defining an axis there between, and at least four inflatable chambers. Each inflatable chamber is resiliently deformable, elongate, and extends axially between the first and second ends and circumferentially about a central core defined between the ends and by the inflatable chambers. A first pair of the four inflatable chambers is contra rotatory about the core to a second pair of the four inflatable chambers. A pressure change in one or more of the inflatable chambers causes motion of the first end relative to the second end. The actuators can be employed in robots or robotic arms.

Abstract: A transmission system (10) includes a first piston (12), a second piston (14) and a modulator piston (16). The first piston (12) receives an input force (FIN), the second piston (14) transmits an output force (FOUT), and the modulator piston (16) transmits a modulating force (FACT>which modulates the input force (FIN) received by the second piston (14) to implement tremor cancellation and force and/or provide variable motion scaling.

Abstract: An actuator (1) is described having a first part (4), a second part (2), and a body portion (3) between the first and second parts, wherein the body portion includes at least one chamber (14) configured to be pressurised and the body portion has a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of cables (6,7,8,9), wherein each of the plurality of cables is arranged in a respective at least partial spiral with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body portion (3); and wherein the plurality of cables are arranged such that the application of a selected force to at least one of the cables causes a desired movement of the first part relative to the second part.

Abstract: An actuator includes first and second ends defining an axis there between, and at least four inflatable chambers. Each inflatable chamber is resiliently deformable, elongate, and extends axially between the first and second ends and circumferentially about a central core defined between the ends and by the inflatable chambers. A first pair of the four inflatable chambers is contra rotatory about the core to a second pair of the four inflatable chambers. A pressure change in one or more of the inflatable chambers causes motion of the first end relative to the second end. The actuators can be employed in robots or robotic arms.

Abstract: An actuator (12) includes a moving member (18) pivotally connected to a base unit (14) for rotation about an axis. The driving force for rotation of the moving member (18) relative to the base unit (14) is provided by a pair of antagonistically operating shape memory alloy (SMA) wires (48, 50) and transmitted via a torsional spring (56). An endoscope, or a snake-like robot (66), may include one or more of the actuators (12).

Abstract: An actuator (12) includes a moving member (18) pivotally connected to a base unit (14) for rotation about an axis. The driving force for rotation of the moving member (18) relative to the base unit (14) is provided by a pair of antagonistically operating shape memory alloy (SMA) wires (48, 50) and transmitted via a torsional spring (56). An endoscope, or a snake-like robot (66), may include one or more of the actuators (12).