Abstract: A variable impedance actuator is provided with a bladder-style actuator having a first end and a second end, and a jamming brake located inside the bladder-style actuator and connected to the first end and the second end of the bladder-style actuator. The bladder-style actuator and the jamming brake are independently controlled.

Abstract: A variable impedance actuator is provided with a bladder-style actuator having a first end and a second end, and a jamming brake located inside the bladder-style actuator and connected to the first end and the second end of the bladder-style actuator. The bladder-style actuator and the jamming brake are independently controlled.

Abstract: A vehicle is configured to enable precise control while minimizing distractions during driving and improving user convenience by receiving a user input that combines the user's gaze or speech with a physical operation. The vehicle includes a first input device configured to receive a first user input by at least one of the user's speech or user's gaze; a second input device configured to receive a second user input by the physical operation of the user; and a controller configured to determine a control item corresponding to the first user input among a plurality of control items when the first input device receives the first user input, and to determine a sub-control item for the determined control item based on the second user input when the second input device receives the second user input.

Abstract: A bi-stable soft electromagnetic actuator includes a housing including a frame portion formed of a stretchable elastic body, a stretchable coil portion generating an electromagnetic field by applied power, located in the housing, and having a first surface and a second surface facing in mutually opposite directions, and at least a pair of permanent magnet portions respectively facing the first surface and the second surface of the stretchable coil portion and arranged to maintain a distance by the frame portion.

Abstract: An input device provides an improved feeling of operation to a user and allows the user to recognize an operation of a handle by providing haptic feedback by limiting a direction of movement of the handle of the input device provided in a vehicle according to a control item, applying a reaction force to the handle, or generating a vibration. The input device includes the handle that is movable in a first direction and a second direction and a motor that is configured to generate force related to a movement of the handle. A driver is configured to operate the motor. A controller operates the driver to limit a moving direction of the handle to the first direction or the second direction according to a control item controlled by the movement of the handle.

Abstract: A guidewire manipulation system may include a cylindrical drum, having a cylindrical outer drum surface with a helical groove for housing a flexible guidewire and an anchoring mechanism for attaching the flexible guidewire to the drum. The system may also include an outer shell or belt disposed around the drum, forming an opening through which the flexible guidewire exits. The system may also include a first actuator coupled with the drum for rotating the drum about a first axis, and a second actuator coupled with the drum for rotating the system about a second axis.

Abstract: An input device provides an improved feeling of operation to a user and allows the user to recognize an operation of a handle by providing haptic feedback by limiting a direction of movement of the handle of the input device provided in a vehicle according to a control item, applying a reaction force to the handle, or generating a vibration. The input device includes the handle that is movable in a first direction and a second direction and a motor that is configured to generate force related to a movement of the handle. A driver is configured to operate the motor. A controller operates the driver to limit a moving direction of the handle to the first direction or the second direction according to a control item controlled by the movement of the handle.

Abstract: A vehicle is configured to enable precise control while minimizing distractions during driving and improving user convenience by receiving a user input that combines the user's gaze or speech with a physical operation. The vehicle includes a first input device configured to receive a first user input by at least one of the user's speech or user's gaze; a second input device configured to receive a second user input by the physical operation of the user; and a controller configured to determine a control item corresponding to the first user input among a plurality of control items when the first input device receives the first user input, and to determine a sub-control item for the determined control item based on the second user input when the second input device receives the second user input.

Abstract: A guidewire manipulation system may include a cylindrical drum, having a cylindrical outer drum surface with a helical groove for housing a flexible guidewire and an anchoring mechanism for attaching the flexible guidewire to the drum. The system may also include an outer shell or belt disposed around the drum, forming an opening through which the flexible guidewire exits. The system may also include a first actuator coupled with the drum for rotating the drum about a first axis, and a second actuator coupled with the drum for rotating the system about a second axis.

Abstract: A device to simulate kinesthetic pad opposition grip forces and weight for grasping virtual objects in a virtual reality is provided. The device includes a base, a sliding part, a braking mechanism and a swinging part with linear resonant actuators (e.g. voice coil actuators). The sliding part is connected with the base through a first prismatic joint which allows for single degree of freedom pinching motions for grasping an object. The swinging part connected to the sliding part and the base through revolute joints. The brake mechanism is used to create a grasping force. The linear resonant actuators provide both touch sensation at initial contact and sensation of weight when lifting the object.

Abstract: A device to simulate kinesthetic pad opposition grip forces and weight for grasping virtual objects in a virtual reality is provided. The device includes a base, a sliding part, a braking mechanism and a swinging part with linear resonant actuators (e.g. voice coil actuators). The sliding part is connected with the base through a first prismatic joint which allows for single degree of freedom pinching motions for grasping an object. The swinging part connected to the sliding part and the base through revolute joints. The brake mechanism is used to create a grasping force. The linear resonant actuators provide both touch sensation at initial contact and sensation of weight when lifting the object.

Abstract: A device to simulate kinesthetic pad opposition grip forces and weight for grasping virtual objects in a virtual reality is provided. The device includes a base, a sliding part, a braking mechanism and a swinging part with linear resonant actuators (e.g. voice coil actuators). The sliding part is connected with the base through a first prismatic joint which allows for single degree of freedom pinching motions for grasping an object. The swinging part connected to the sliding part and the base through revolute joints. The brake mechanism is used to create a grasping force. The linear resonant actuators provide both touch sensation at initial contact and sensation of weight when lifting the object.

Abstract: A controller is provided that can provide haptic feedback to a user by controlling a separation of a stationary portion and a moveable portion, such as a moveable arm, which can include one or more mounts for one or more of a user's fingers. A sensor can be included on the stationary portion to sense whether the user's thumb is proximate a thumb rest. Different haptic interaction modes can be set depending on whether the user's thumb is not proximate the sensor, such as a touch mode, or is proximate the sensor, such as a grasping or trigger mode. When grasping and trigger modes are provided, they can be determined based on the nature of a virtual object grasped by a user. Additional haptic sensations can be provided, such as to a user's fingertip, such as by a vibratory component or a rotatable object of one or more haptic elements.

Abstract: A controller is provided that can provide haptic feedback to a user by controlling a separation of a stationary portion and a moveable portion, such as a moveable arm, which can include one or more mounts for one or more of a user's fingers. A sensor can be included on the stationary portion to sense whether the user's thumb is proximate a thumb rest. Different haptic interaction modes can be set depending on whether the user's thumb is not proximate the sensor, such as a touch mode, or is proximate the sensor, such as a grasping or trigger mode. When grasping and trigger modes are provided, they can be determined based on the nature of a virtual object grasped by a user. Additional haptic sensations can be provided, such as to a user's fingertip, such as by a vibratory component or a rotatable object of one or more haptic elements.

Abstract: A device to simulate kinesthetic pad opposition grip forces and weight for grasping virtual objects in a virtual reality is provided. The device includes a base, a sliding part, a braking mechanism and a swinging part with linear resonant actuators (e.g. voice coil actuators). The sliding part is connected with the base through a first prismatic joint which allows for single degree of freedom pinching motions for grasping an object. The swinging part connected to the sliding part and the base through revolute joints. The brake mechanism is used to create a grasping force. The linear resonant actuators provide both touch sensation at initial contact and sensation of weight when lifting the object.

Abstract: A mobile, wearable haptic device (the Wolverine) designed for simulating the grasping of objects in a virtual reality interface is disclosed. The Wolverine renders a force directly between the thumb and at least one finger to simulate opposition type grasps of the objects. Mechanical design, control strategy, and performance analysis of the Wolverine system are disclosed.

Abstract: A guidewire manipulation system may include a cylindrical drum, having a cylindrical outer drum surface with a helical groove for housing a flexible guidewire and an anchoring mechanism for attaching the flexible guidewire to the drum. The system may also include an outer shell or belt disposed around the drum, forming an opening through which the flexible guidewire exits. The system may also include a first actuator coupled with the drum for rotating the drum about a first axis, and a second actuator coupled with the drum for rotating the system about a second axis.

Abstract: A mobile, wearable haptic device (the Wolverine) designed for simulating the grasping of objects in a virtual reality interface is disclosed. The Wolverine renders a force directly between the thumb and at least one finger to simulate opposition type grasps of the objects. Mechanical design, control strategy, and performance analysis of the Wolverine system are disclosed.