Abstract: A robot system (50) includes a control system (101) having a control interface grip (102). The robot system includes a macro robotic arm (54) and a micro robotic arm (60). The robot system is arranged such that the macro robotic arm will respond, in a first control system state, to movement of the control interface grip. In particular, the macro robotic arm will move in a plurality of directions responsive to corresponding movement of the interface grip. The micro robotic arm will respond, in a second control system state, to movement of the control interface grip. In particular, the micro robotic arm will move in a plurality of directions responsive to corresponding movement of the interface grip.

Abstract: A robot system (50) includes a control system (101) having a control interface grip (102). The robot system includes a macro robotic arm (54) and a micro robotic arm (60). The robot system is arranged such that the macro robotic arm will respond, in a first control system state, to movement of the control interface grip. In particular, the macro robotic arm will move in a plurality of directions responsive to corresponding movement of the interface grip. The micro robotic arm will respond, in a second control system state, to movement of the control interface grip. In particular, the micro robotic arm will move in a plurality of directions responsive to corresponding movement of the interface grip.

Abstract: Robot gripping system (200, 200?) includes a motor (202) mounted to a chassis (201). An elongated worm shaft (204) is rotatably mounted to the chassis along a worm axis (211) parallel to a motor rotation axis (209). A drive coupling (210) rotates the elongated worm shaft responsive to rotation of a motor drive shaft. First and second worm gears (205a, 205b) are disposed on the elongated worm shaft. First and second sector gears (206a, 206b) engage the first and second worm gear and rotate respectively about a first and second sector gear axis of rotation transverse to the worm axis. First and second robot gripper fingers (208a, 208b) are coupled to the first and second sector gears such that the fingers rotate about a proximal end (228a, 228b).

Abstract: A robot system (50) includes a control system (101) having a control interface grip (102). The robot system includes a macro robotic arm (54) and a micro robotic arm (60). The robot system is arranged such that the macro robotic arm will respond, in a first control system state, to movement of the control interface grip. In particular, the macro robotic arm will move in a plurality of directions responsive to corresponding movement of the interface grip. The micro robotic arm will respond, in a second control system state, to movement of the control interface grip. In particular, the micro robotic arm will move in a plurality of directions responsive to corresponding movement of the interface grip.

Abstract: Force and torque sensors (10, 10a) include a load-bearing element (12), and strain gauges (20, 22, 23) mounted on the load-bearing element (12) so that the strain gauges (20, 22, 23) generate outputs responsive to external forces and moments applied to the load-bearing element (12). The strain gauges (20, 22, 23) are configured, and the responsive outputs of the strain gauges (20, 22, 23) are processed such that the force and moment measurements generated by the sensors (10, 10a) are substantially immune from drift due to thermally-induced strain in the load-bearing element (12).

Abstract: Force and torque sensors (10, 10a) include a load-bearing element (12), and strain gauges (20, 22, 23) mounted on the load-bearing element (12) so that the strain gauges (20, 22, 23) generate outputs responsive to external forces and moments applied to the load-bearing element (12). The strain gauges (20, 22, 23) are configured, and the responsive outputs of the strain gauges (20, 22, 23) are processed such that the force and moment measurements generated by the sensors (10, 10a) are substantially immune from drift due to thermally-induced strain in the load-bearing element (12).

Abstract: Interface (101) for converting human control input gestures to telematic control signals. The interface includes a plurality of articulating arms (107a, 107b, 108a, 108b, and 109a, 109b) each mounted at a base end (113, 115, 117) to an interface base and coupled at an opposing end to a housing (106). The articulating arms are operable to permit linear translational movement of the housing in three orthogonal directions. At least one sensor (116) of a first kind is provided for measuring the linear translational movement. A pivot member (201) is disposed in the housing and is arranged to pivot about a single pivot point. A grip (102) is provided and is attached to the pivot member so that a user upon grasping the grip can cause the pivot to rotate within the housing.

Abstract: An interface (101) for converting human control input gestures to telematic control signals includes a plurality of articulating arms (107, 108, 109) each mounted at a base end (113, 115, 117) to an interface base and coupled at an opposing end to a housing (106). The articulating arms are operable to permit linear translational movement of the housing in three orthogonal directions. At least one sensor (116) of a first kind is provided for measuring the linear translational movement. A pivot member (201) is disposed in the housing and is arranged to pivot about a single pivot point. A grip (102) is provided and is attached to the pivot member so that a user upon grasping the grip can cause the pivot to rotate within the housing. A button (118) is provided to switch between at least two modes, wherein when in a first mode control signals are used to control a vehicle base (502), and when in the second mode control signals are used to control a robotic arm (504) coupled to the vehicle base (502).

Abstract: A ball joint (1) is provided having a ball housing (10) that defines a socket (11), and a ball pivot (20) with a ball head (22) and ball pin (24), where the ball head (22) is disposed in the socket (11). A ball housing passageway (14) passes through the ball housing (10); a ball pin passageway (25) passes through the ball pin (24), and a ball head passageway (23) passes through the ball head (22). The ball pin passageway (25), ball head passageway (23) and ball housing passageway (14) are in communication with each other for routing a cable (2) through the ball joint (1). A limiter (50) may extend from an internal surface (12) of the socket (11) having a passageway (52) connected to the ball housing passageway (14). The limiter (50) prevents unlimited spinning of the ball head (22) within the socket (11).

Abstract: Method and system for telematic control of a slave device (402) includes a hand control (101) type control interface which includes a hand grip (102) having an elongated body (202). One or more sensors (208) are provided for sensing a physical displacement of a trigger (212) disposed on the hand grip. An actuator or motor (206) is disposed in the hand grip that is responsive to a control signal from a control system (401) for dynamically controlling a force applied by the trigger to a user of the hand control interface.

Abstract: A robotic gripper (10) has fingers (12) that are configured to grasp an object, and an actuator (20) for driving the fingers. The actuator has a drive train (30) connected to the fingers for driving the fingers, an impact mechanism (40) mechanically connected to the drive train for driving the drive train, and a motor (50) connected to the impact mechanism for driving the impact mechanism. The impact mechanism generates a series of impacts that are delivered to the drive train when the impact mechanism is loaded beyond a threshold torque. The drive train is a back-drive inhibited drive train provided by a worm drive (32, 34) that is mechanically coupled to the impact mechanism.

Abstract: A robot system (50) includes a control system (101) having a control interface grip (102). The robot system includes a macro robotic arm (54) and a micro robotic arm (60). The robot system is arranged such that the macro robotic arm will respond, in a first control system state, to movement of the control interface grip. In particular, the macro robotic arm will move in a plurality of directions responsive to corresponding movement of the interface grip. The micro robotic arm will respond, in a second control system state, to movement of the control interface grip. In particular, the micro robotic arm will move in a plurality of directions responsive to corresponding movement of the interface grip.

Abstract: A robotic gripper (10) has fingers (12) that are configured to grasp an object, and an actuator (20) for driving the fingers. The actuator has a drive train (30) connected to the fingers for driving the fingers, an impact mechanism (40) mechanically connected to the drive train for driving the drive train, and a motor (50) connected to the impact mechanism for driving the impact mechanism. The impact mechanism generates a series of impacts that are delivered to the drive train when the impact mechanism is loaded beyond a threshold torque. The drive train is a back-drive inhibited drive train provided by a worm drive (32, 34) that is mechanically coupled to the impact mechanism.

Abstract: An interface (101) for converting human control input gestures to telematic control signals includes a plurality of articulating arms (107, 108, 109) each mounted at a base end (113, 115, 117) to an interface base and coupled at an opposing end to a housing (106). The articulating arms are operable to permit linear translational movement of the housing in three orthogonal directions. At least one sensor (116) of a first kind is provided for measuring the linear translational movement. A pivot member (201) is disposed in the housing and is arranged to pivot about a single pivot point. A grip (102) is provided and is attached to the pivot member so that a user upon grasping the grip can cause the pivot to rotate within the housing. A button (118) is provided to switch between at least two modes, wherein when in a first mode control signals are used to control a vehicle base (502), and when in the second mode control signals are used to control a robotic arm (504) coupled to the vehicle base (502).

Abstract: Interface (101) for converting human control input gestures to telematic control signals. The interface includes a plurality of articulating arms (107a, 107b, 108a, 108b, and 109a, 109b) each mounted at a base end (113, 115, 117) to an interface base and coupled at an opposing end to a housing (106). The articulating arms are operable to permit linear translational movement of the housing in three orthogonal directions. At least one sensor (116) of a first kind is provided for measuring the linear translational movement. A pivot member (201) is disposed in the housing and is arranged to pivot about a single pivot point. A grip (102) is provided and is attached to the pivot member so that a user upon grasping the grip can cause the pivot to rotate within the housing.

Abstract: A ball joint (1) is provided having a ball housing (10) that defines a socket (11), and a ball pivot (20) with a ball head (22) and ball pin (24), where the ball head (22) is disposed in the socket (11). A ball housing passageway (14) passes through the ball housing (10); a ball pin passageway (25) passes through the ball pin (24), and a ball head passageway (23) passes through the ball head (22). The ball pin passageway (25), ball head passageway (23) and ball housing passageway (14) are in communication with each other for routing a cable (2) through the ball joint (1). A limiter (50) may extend from an internal surface (12) of the socket (11) having a passageway (52) connected to the ball housing passageway (14). The limiter (50) prevents unlimited spinning of the ball head (22) within the socket (11).

Abstract: Method and system for telematic control of a slave device (402) includes a hand control (101) type control interface which includes a hand grip (102) having an elongated body (202). One or more sensors (208) are provided for sensing a physical displacement of a trigger (212) disposed on the hand grip. An actuator or motor (206) is disposed in the hand grip that is responsive to a control signal from a control system (401) for dynamically controlling a force applied by the trigger to a user of the hand control interface.