Abstract: A haptic interface with at least two degrees of freedom including at least one element for interacting with a user, at least two passive brakes each extending along an axis, each of the brakes being capable of exerting a resistive force about its axis, the forces being controllable, measurement means for measuring a position of the element for interacting with a user, detection means for detecting the force applied on the element for interacting with the user, a control unit capable of sending commands to the brakes depending on information on the position of the element for interacting with the user and on the force applied on the element for interacting with the user, such that said passive brakes generate resistive forces according to at least one given haptic pattern.

Abstract: A device for a rotary haptic interface including: a rotary button and an interaction member interacting with a magnetorheological fluid, the rotary button and interaction member being secured to a shaft for rotation therewith, a chamber defined by walls and containing the fluid and the interaction element, and a mechanism generating a variable magnetic field. The element for interaction with the fluid includes a skirt surrounding the shaft, the skirt being secured to a longitudinal end of the shaft opposite the end to which the rotary button is secured, and extending from the first end towards the rotary button. The shaft passes through a single wall of the chamber and a sealing mechanism is arranged between the shaft and the wall. A mechanism for guiding the rotation of the shaft is arranged around the shaft between the sealing mechanism and the rotary button.

Abstract: A haptic interface with at least two degrees of freedom, comprising: at least one element (4) for interacting with a user, at least two passive brakes (6, 8) each extending along an axis (X, Y), each of the brakes (6, 8) being capable of exerting a resistive force about its axis (X, Y), the forces being controllable, measurement means (14, 16) for measuring a position of the element (4) for interacting with a user, detection means (11, 13) for detecting the force applied on the element (4) for interacting with the user, a control unit (UC) capable of sending commands to the brakes depending on information on the position of the element for interacting with the user and on the force applied on the element (4) for interacting with the user, such that said passive brakes (6, 8) generate resistive forces according to at least one given haptic pattern.

Abstract: A mobile robotic device comprising a propulsion mechanism equipped with an Archimedean screw, so as to allow it to move over various types of ground. The mobile robotic device comprises a body and a propulsion mechanism, the propulsion mechanism comprising: a drum capable of rotating with respect to the body, and Archimedean screw thread projecting from an exterior surface of the drum, and rolling members each one comprising a support structure and a wheel, each support structure forming a portion of the screw thread and each wheel being mounted as a pivot connection on the support structure, each rolling member comprising at least one cavity designed to minimize the adjacent surface areas between the support structure and the wheel.

Abstract: A device for a rotary haptic interface including: a rotary button and an interaction member interacting with a magnetorheological fluid, the rotary button and interaction member being secured to a shaft for rotation therewith, a chamber defined by walls and containing the fluid and the interaction element, and a mechanism generating a variable magnetic field. The element for interaction with the fluid includes a skirt surrounding the shaft, the skirt being secured to a longitudinal end of the shaft opposite the end to which the rotary button is secured, and extending from the first end towards the rotary button. The shaft passes through a single wall of the chamber and a sealing mechanism is arranged between the shaft and the wall. A mechanism for guiding the rotation of the shaft is arranged around the shaft between the sealing mechanism and the rotary button.

Abstract: A haptic interface, including: a button which can be rotated by a user; an interaction element interacting with a magnetorheological fluid, secured to the button; a mechanism measuring a current position of the button; a brake including a magnetorheological fluid and a generation system to generate a magnetic field in the fluid; a controller configured to generate orders for the system to generate a magnetic fluid to modify a value of the magnetic field; and a mechanism to detect torque exerted by a user on the button to know direction of the torque and whether the torque is greater than a given value for a given direction, the controller controlling generation of a magnetic field based on obtained information about the torque at least when the button indicates zero or low speed.

Abstract: A haptic interface, including: a button which can be rotated by a user; an interaction element interacting with a magnetorheological fluid, secured to the button; a mechanism measuring a current position of the button; a brake including a magnetorheological fluid and a generation system to generate a magnetic field in the fluid; a controller configured to generate orders for the system to generate a magnetic fluid to modify a value of the magnetic field; and a mechanism to detect torque exerted by a user on the button to know direction of the torque and whether the torque is greater than a given value for a given direction, the controller controlling generation of a magnetic field based on obtained information about the torque at least when the button indicates zero or low speed.

Abstract: A fluidic actuator includes a chamber filled with a fluid, an element movable in relation to the chamber and in contact with the fluid, as well as a passage for circulating the fluid between the inside and the outside of the chamber in order to vary the amount of fluid in the chamber, thus causing movement of the movable element. The fluid is magnetorheological and the fluidic actuator includes a magnetic field generator arranged so as to generate, in the passage, a controlled magnetic field.

Abstract: A fluidic actuator includes a chamber filled with a fluid, an element movable in relation to the chamber and in contact with the fluid, as well as a passage for circulating the fluid between the inside and the outside of the chamber in order to vary the amount of fluid in the chamber, thus causing movement of the movable element. The fluid is magnetorheological and the fluidic actuator includes a magnetic field generator arranged so as to generate, in the passage, a controlled magnetic field.