Abstract: A fluidic tactile sensor includes a core having an outer core portion, an inner core portion, and a first channel having a first opening at a first surface portion of the outer core portion. An elastic skin is disposed over the first surface portion. A cell is formed between the first surface portion and the elastic skin and fluidly is fluidly connected to the first channel. The cell contains a fluid. A contact force applied to the elastic skin produces a measurable change in fluid pressure inside the cell.

Abstract: A method for assisting product selection according to haptic properties involves obtaining at least one product search criterion in a user interface, identifying relevant products, based on the at least one product search criterion, and displaying the relevant products in the user interface. The method further involves obtaining haptic properties for the relevant products, and updating the user interface based on the haptic properties of the relevant products. The haptic properties include values for a multitude of dimensions of touch, previously measured using sensing modalities of a haptic measurement system.

Abstract: A method for identifying diagnostic and therapeutic options for medical conditions. The method includes obtaining, from patient data in electronic health records, a diagnoses statistics database that includes statistical distributions of values of action results associated with diagnoses, and for each action result, a benefit of using the action result for disambiguating pairs of diagnoses. The method further includes obtaining an initial differential diagnosis for a patient. The initial differential diagnosis includes a set of initial diagnoses that are based on initially available patient data. Each initial diagnosis is assigned a probability that the initial diagnosis correctly identifies a condition of the patient.

Abstract: A method for identifying diagnostic and therapeutic options for medical conditions. The method includes obtaining, from patient data in electronic health records, a diagnoses statistics database that includes statistical distributions of values of action results associated with diagnoses, and for each action result, a benefit of using the action result for disambiguating pairs of diagnoses. The method further includes obtaining an initial differential diagnosis for a patient. The initial differential diagnosis includes a set of initial diagnoses that are based on initially available patient data. Each initial diagnosis is assigned a probability that the initial diagnosis correctly identifies a condition of the patient.

Abstract: A method for identifying diagnostic and therapeutic options for medical conditions. The method includes obtaining, from patient data in electronic health records, a diagnoses statistics database that includes statistical distributions of values of action results associated with diagnoses, and for each action result, a benefit of using the action result for disambiguating pairs of diagnoses. The method further includes obtaining an initial differential diagnosis for a patient. The initial differential diagnosis includes a set of initial diagnoses that are based on initially available patient data. Each initial diagnosis is assigned a probability that the initial diagnosis correctly identifies a condition of the patient.

Abstract: An object investigation and classification system may include an object test system, a data storage system, and a data processing system. The object test system may receive a command to perform at least one action with a test object, perform the at least one action with the test object, and return test information indicative of at least one percept resulting from the at least one action. The data storage system may contain an experience database containing data indicative of multiple classifications and, for each classification, at least one action that was performed with at least one previously-observed reference object having this classification, and at least one percept value that is based in whole or in part on the test information resulting from the at least one action.

Abstract: A method for identifying diagnostic and therapeutic options for medical conditions. The method includes obtaining, from patient data in electronic health records, a diagnoses statistics database that includes statistical distributions of values of action results associated with diagnoses, and for each action result, a benefit of using the action result for disambiguating pairs of diagnoses. The method further includes obtaining an initial differential diagnosis for a patient. The initial differential diagnosis includes a set of initial diagnoses that are based on initially available patient data. Each initial diagnosis is assigned a probability that the initial diagnosis correctly identifies a condition of the patient.

Abstract: An object investigation and classification system may include an object test system, a data storage system, and a data processing system. The object test system may receive a command to perform at least one action with a test object, perform the at least one action with the test object, and return test information indicative of at least one percept resulting from the at least one action. The data storage system may contain an experience database containing data indicative of multiple classifications and, for each classification, at least one action that was performed with at least one previously-observed reference object having this classification, and at least one percept value that is based in whole or in part on the test information resulting from the at least one action.

Abstract: An object investigation and classification system may include an object test system, a data storage system, and a data processing system. The object test system may receive a command to perform at least one action with a test object, perform the at least one action with the test object, and return test information indicative of at least one percept resulting from the at least one action. The data storage system may contain an experience database containing data indicative of multiple classifications and, for each classification, at least one action that was performed with at least one previously-observed reference object having this classification, and at least one percept value that is based in whole or in part on the test information resulting from the at least one action.

Abstract: A system may measure, store, and recall at least one tactile property of multiple objects. The system may include one or more biomimetic tactile sensors that have mechanical properties and sensor modalities that are similar to those of human fingertips. The system may perform at least one exploratory movement on one of the objects by moving the biomimetic tactile sensors over a surface of the object. The at least one exploratory movement may be of a type that a human would normally perform on the object to discern the at least one tactile property and may have one or more movement parameters. Each of the movement parameters may fall within a range of movement parameters that would normally be exhibited if a human performed the exploratory movement for the at least one tactile property. The system may determine and store a value of the at least one tactile property based on information provided by the biomimetic tactile sensors in response to the exploratory movement.

Abstract: A compliant tactile sensor may include sponge-like material, a flexible skin, and a fluid pressure sensor. The flexible skin may have a shape, absorb fluid, compress in response to force applied to the sponge-like material, and decompress and return to its original shape when the force is removed. The flexible skin may cover an outer surface of the sponge-like material. The fluid pressure sensor may sense changes in pressure in fluid that is within the sponge-like material caused by a force applied to the flexible skin. A robotic system may include a movable robotic arm, a compliant tactile sensor on the movable robotic arm that senses contact between the compliant tactile sensor and an object during movement of the movable robotic arm and that cushions the effect of that contact, and a reflex system that causes the moveable robotic arm to move in response to commands.

Abstract: An object investigation and classification system may include an object test system, a data storage system, and a data processing system. The object test system may receive a command to perform at least one action with a test object, perform the at least one action with the test object, and return test information indicative of at least one percept resulting from the at least one action. The data storage system may contain an experience database containing data indicative of multiple classifications and, for each classification, at least one action that was performed with at least one previously-observed reference object having this classification, and at least one percept value that is based in whole or in part on the test information resulting from the at least one action.

Abstract: A compliant tactile sensor may include sponge-like material, a flexible skin, and a fluid pressure sensor. The flexible skin may have a shape, absorb fluid, compress in response to force applied to the sponge-like material, and decompress and return to its original shape when the force is removed. The flexible skin may cover an outer surface of the sponge-like material. The fluid pressure sensor may sense changes in pressure in fluid that is within the sponge-like material caused by a force applied to the flexible skin. A robotic system may include a movable robotic arm, a compliant tactile sensor on the movable robotic arm that senses contact between the compliant tactile sensor and an object during movement of the movable robotic arm and that cushions the effect of that contact, and a reflex system that causes the moveable robotic arm to move in response to commands.

Abstract: Tactile sensors are disclosed that mimic the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. The deformable properties of the finger pad can be used as part of a transduction process. Multiple electrodes can be mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies are described for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control. Controlling grip force in a prosthetic having sensory feedback information is described. Techniques are described for enhancing the useful force range for impedance sensors by internally texturing the elastomeric skin.

Abstract: Tactile sensors are disclosed that mimic the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. The deformable properties of the finger pad can be used as part of a transduction process. Multiple electrodes can be mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies are described for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control. Controlling grip force in a prosthetic having sensory feedback information is described. Pressure transducers can provide sensory feedback by measuring micro-vibrations due to sliding friction.

Abstract: Tactile sensors are disclosed that mimic the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. The deformable properties of the finger pad can be used as part of a transduction process. Multiple electrodes can be mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies are described for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control. Controlling grip force in a prosthetic having sensory feedback information is described. Pressure transducers can provide sensory feedback by measuring micro-vibrations due to sliding friction.

Abstract: Tactile sensors are disclosed that mimic the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. The deformable properties of the finger pad can be used as part of a transduction process. Multiple electrodes can be mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies are described for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control. Controlling grip force in a prosthetic having sensory feedback information is described. Techniques are described for enhancing the useful force range for impedance sensors by internally texturing the elastomeric skin.