Abstract: Devices and systems for producing rotational actuation are described. Hydraulic and pneumatic actuators can produce and control rotational motion. A rotary joint may be configured to allow parallel coupling of multiple actuators, and thus increase the range of rotation of the actuators when considered collectively. The actuators may include pistons and piston rods having torus shapes. Methods of manufacturing rotary joints are also described.

Abstract: Devices and systems for producing rotational actuation are described. More specifically, hydraulic and pneumatic actuators that can produce and control rotational or joint-like motion are described. An actuator may include a torus shaped cylinder configured to enable rotation of the actuator. An actuator may further include both a piston configured to rotate from a first end of the torus shaped cylinder to a second end of the torus shaped cylinder and a piston rod coupled to the piston.

Abstract: Devices and systems for producing rotational actuation are described. More specifically, hydraulic and pneumatic actuators that can produce and control rotational or joint-like motion are described. An actuator may be configured to allow parallel coupling of multiple actuators, and thus increase the range of rotation of the actuators when considered collectively.

Abstract: Robotic grippers and robotic gripping systems are disclosed. A robotic gripper includes one or more gripping members, one or more tactile sensors on or in the one or more gripping members, and one or more processors. The one or more tactile sensors are configured to take geographic measurements of an object gripped by the one or more gripping members. The one or more processors are configured to create a numeric model of at least a portion of a surface of the object gripped by the one or more gripping members using the geographic measurements from the one or more tactile sensors. The one or more processors are also configured to adjust a location of the object gripped by the one or more gripping members by controlling the one or more gripping members based on the numeric model of the at least the portion of the surface of the object.

Abstract: Robotic grippers and robotic gripping systems are disclosed. A robotic gripper includes one or more gripping members, one or more tactile sensors on or in the one or more gripping members, and one or more processors. The one or more tactile sensors are configured to take geographic measurements of an object gripped by the one or more gripping members. The one or more processors are configured to create a numeric model of at least a portion of a surface of the object gripped by the one or more gripping members using the geographic measurements from the one or more tactile sensors. The one or more processors are also configured to adjust a location of the object gripped by the one or more gripping members by controlling the one or more gripping members based on the numeric model of the at least the portion of the surface of the object.

Abstract: A displacement measuring cell may be used to measure linear and/or angular displacement. The displacement measuring cell may include movable and stationary electrodes in a conductive fluid. Electrical property measurements may be used to determine how far the movable electrode has moved relative to the stationary electrode. The displacement measuring cell may include pistons and/or flexible walls. The displacement measuring cell may be used in a touch-sensitive robotic gripper. The touch-sensitive robotic gripper may include a plurality of displacement measuring cells mechanically in series and/or parallel. The touch-sensitive robotic gripper may be include a processor and/or memory configured to identify objects based on displacement measurements and/or other measurements. The processor may determine how to manipulate the object based on its identity.

Abstract: A displacement measuring cell may be used to measure linear and/or angular displacement. The displacement measuring cell may include movable and stationary electrodes in a conductive fluid. Electrical property measurements may be used to determine how far the movable electrode has moved relative to the stationary electrode. The displacement measuring cell may include pistons and/or flexible walls. The displacement measuring cell may be used in a touch-sensitive robotic gripper. The touch-sensitive robotic gripper may include a plurality of displacement measuring cells mechanically in series and/or parallel. The touch-sensitive robotic gripper may be include a processor and/or memory configured to identify objects based on displacement measurements and/or other measurements. The processor may determine how to manipulate the object based on its identity.

Abstract: A displacement measuring cell may be used to measure linear and/or angular displacement. The displacement measuring cell may include movable and stationary electrodes in a conductive fluid. Electrical property measurements may be used to determine how far the movable electrode has moved relative to the stationary electrode. The displacement measuring cell may include pistons and/or flexible walls. The displacement measuring cell may be used in a touch-sensitive robotic gripper. The touch-sensitive robotic gripper may include a plurality of displacement measuring cells mechanically in series and/or parallel. The touch-sensitive robotic gripper may be include a processor and/or memory configured to identify objects based on displacement measurements and/or other measurements. The processor may determine how to manipulate the object based on its identity.

Abstract: Devices and systems for producing rotational actuation are described. More specifically, hydraulic and pneumatic actuators that can produce and control rotational or joint-like motion are described. An actuator may be configured to allow parallel coupling of multiple actuators, and thus increase the range of rotation of the actuators when considered collectively.

Abstract: A displacement measuring cell may be used to measure linear and/or angular displacement. The displacement measuring cell may include movable and stationary electrodes in a conductive fluid. Electrical property measurements may be used to determine how far the movable electrode has moved relative to the stationary electrode. The displacement measuring cell may include pistons and/or flexible walls. The displacement measuring cell may be used in a touch-sensitive robotic gripper. The touch-sensitive robotic gripper may include a plurality of displacement measuring cells mechanically in series and/or parallel. The touch-sensitive robotic gripper may be include a processor and/or memory configured to identify objects based on displacement measurements and/or other measurements. The processor may determine how to manipulate the object based on its identity.