Abstract: A supplementary support structure, which supports the body of a robot (1), comprises a contact component (7) which is disposed in a part near a joint (2c) on the distal end, having a hand (3) disposed thereon, of an arm (2) of the robot (1) so as to come into contact with a surface on which the robot (1) is supported, such as a floor surface, and a member which lies between the part having the contact component (7) disposed therein and the proximal end of the arm (2). Thus, the supplementary support structure can avoid an increase in the weight of the hand resulting from the support structure, thus eliminate an extra load on a driving system for the hand or the arm, and thus achieve the simplification and size reduction of the driving system. Moreover, the support structure can increase the degree of freedom of the shape or functional design of the hand and thus improve the functioning of the robot.

Abstract: A supplementary support structure, which supports the body of a robot (1), comprises a contact component (7) which is disposed in a part near a joint (2c) on the distal end, having a hand (3) disposed thereon, of an arm (2) of the robot (1) so as to come into contact with a surface on which the robot (1) is supported, such as a floor surface, and a member which lies between the part having the contact component (7) disposed therein and the proximal end of the arm (2). Thus, the supplementary support structure can avoid an increase in the weight of the hand resulting from the support structure, thus eliminate an extra load on a driving system for the hand or the arm, and thus achieve the simplification and size reduction of the driving system. Moreover, the support structure can increase the degree of freedom of the shape or functional design of the hand and thus improve the functioning of the robot.

Abstract: A method for detecting a low rigid force and a device therefor are provided in that even a large impact force is applied, by integrating an impact absorbing unit with the force detection mechanism, a force detection mechanism may not be damaged. To that end, between a pair of substrates 2a and 2b opposing each other and undergoing displacement in a direction changing the space between them by an impact force applied thereto, at least one absorption detection mechanism 3 integrally including an impact absorbing unit 4 and a force detecting unit 5 is interposed, so that a force applied between both the substrates 2a and 2b is detected by the force detecting unit 5 while an impact force applied between both the substrates 2a and 2b being absorbed by an elastic force of the impact absorbing unit 4.