Abstract: A neuromuscular model-based controller for a robotic limb having at least one joint includes a neuromuscular model having a muscle model, muscle geometry and reflex feedback loop to determine at least one torque or impedance command to be sent to the robotic limb. One or more parameters that determine relation between feedback data and activation of the muscle model are adjusted consequent to sensory data from at least one of an intrinsic sensor and an extrinsic sensor. A controller in communication with the neuromuscular model is configured to receive the at least one torque or impedance command and controls at least one of position, torque and impedance of the robotic limb joint.

Abstract: A car having a rotatable wheel, the car being able to run by rotating the wheel, the car having a leg used by the car for walking, and an attitude stabilization section for stabilizing an attitude of the car.

Abstract: A car having a rotatable wheel, the car being able to run by rotating the wheel, the car having a leg used by the car for walking, and an attitude stabilization section for stabilizing an attitude of the car.

Abstract: A flexible printed wiring board arrangement of an imaging device, includes an image pickup device fixing member to which an image pickup device is fixed; a holding member which holds the image pickup device fixing member; an inclination angle adjusting mechanism for changing an inclination angle of the image pickup device fixing member relative to the holding member; a flexible printed wiring board which extends from the image pickup device; and a flexible printed wiring board support member which is fixed to the holding member at a position behind the image pickup device fixing member, a part of the flexible printed wiring board being in contact with the flexible printed wiring board support member.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an axial-direction moving member which moves between an operating position and a retracted position in an optical axis direction, an in-plane moving optical element movable in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis, a controller which moves the in-plane moving optical element in the orthogonal plane to a reference position when the image device changes from the operating state to the retracted state, and a mechanical guide device, provided between the axial-direction moving member and the in-plane moving optical element. In a state where the in-plane moving optical element is deviated from the reference position, the mechanical guide device guides the in-plane moving optical element to the reference position by using a moving force of the axial-direction moving member when the axial-direction moving member moves from the operating position to the retracted position.

Abstract: Artificial limbs and joints that behave like biological limbs and joints employ a synthetic actuator which consumes negligible power when exerting zero force, consumes negligible power when outputting force at constant length (isometric) and while performing dissipative, nonconservative work, is capable of independently engaging flexion and extension tendon-like, series springs, is capable of independently varying joint position and stiffness, and exploits series elasticity for mechanical power amplification.

Abstract: A car includes a car body having a bottom portion, a wheel that is rotatable, and a supporting member for supporting the wheel, the supporting member being provided to the bottom portion. At least eight pairs of the wheel and the supporting member are provided. The supporting member has a first supporting portion for supporting the wheel rotatably, a second supporting portion for supporting the first supporting portion so that a direction of the wheel supported by the first supporting portion can be changed, and a turning portion that is rotatable about a rotation axis with its axial direction along a direction orthogonal to the bottom portion, the turning portion being provided to the bottom portion. The turning portion supports the second supporting portion so that a distance between the wheel and the bottom portion can be changed, and a position of the wheel can be moved by a rotation of the turning portion in a state that the distance is maintained.

Abstract: An optical element position control mechanism includes an optical element holding member, a lead screw rotatable on a rotational axis parallel to movement direction of the optical element holding member, a linearly moving nut screw-engaged with the lead screw and engaged with the optical element holding member, and a rotation prevention device preventing the linearly moving nut from rotating about the lead screw. Rotations of the lead screw cause the linearly moving nut to move along the lead screw, a position of the optical element holding member being determined by the linearly moving nut. A biasing device is positioned between the linearly moving nut and the optical element holding member and is resiliently deformable in a plane substantially parallel to a plane which includes the rotational axis of the lead screw, and applies a biasing force against the linearly moving nut so as to be prevented from rotating.

Abstract: An image stabilizer includes an image pickup device; a guide device which guides the image pickup device in a manner to allow the image pickup device to move linearly in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis, the guide device and the image pickup device being arranged at different positions in the plane; and a flexible printed wiring board which extends from the image pickup device. The flexible printed wiring board includes an integrally-movable portion which is connected to the image pickup device to move with the image pickup device, and a freely-deformable portion extending from the integrally-movable portion. The flexible printed wiring board is orientated toward the guide device so that a boundary between the integrally-movable portion and the freely-deformable portion is positioned close to the guide device.

Abstract: A car having a rotatable wheel, the car being able to run by rotating the wheel, the car having a leg used by the car for walking, and an attitude stabilization section for stabilizing an attitude of the car.

Abstract: A car having a rotatable wheel, the car being able to run by rotating the wheel, the car having a leg used by the car for walking, and an attitude stabilization section for stabilizing an attitude of the car.

Abstract: An insertion member fixing structure includes an insertion member which is inserted into a support hole formed in a support member; and outer and inner adhesive-pouring recesses formed on an inner peripheral surface of the support hole at one end thereof and on an outer peripheral surface of the insertion member, respectively, in a manner so as to face each other and be communicatively connected to each other in a state where the insertion member is inserted into the support hole. The insertion member is fixed to the support member by pouring an adhesive into the outer and inner adhesive-pouring recesses so that the adhesive spreads into the outer and inner adhesive-pouring recess.

Abstract: A car includes a car body having a bottom portion, a wheel that is rotatable, and a supporting member for supporting the wheel, the supporting member being provided to the bottom portion. At least eight pairs of the wheel and the supporting member are provided. The supporting member has a first supporting portion for supporting the wheel rotatably, a second supporting portion for supporting the first supporting portion so that a direction of the wheel supported by the first supporting portion can be changed, and a turning portion that is rotatable about a rotation axis with its axial direction along a direction orthogonal to the bottom portion, the turning portion being provided to the bottom portion. The turning portion supports the second supporting portion so that a distance between the wheel and the bottom portion can be changed, and a position of the wheel can be moved by a rotation of the turning portion in a state that the distance is maintained.

Abstract: An image stabilizer for counteracting image shake of an object image formed on an image pickup device includes an image-pickup-device holding member; a guide device which guides the image-pickup-device holding member so as to be allowed to move linearly in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis; a driving device which moves the image-pickup-device holding member in a guide direction of the guide device to a force receiving portion on the image-pickup-device holding member; and a flexible printed wiring board, extending from the image pickup device, a part of which being fixed to the image-pickup-device holding member at a fixing position thereon. A distance between the fixing position and the force receiving portion is smaller than a distance between the guide device and the force receiving portion in a direction orthogonal to both the optical axis direction and the guide direction.

Abstract: A flexible printed wiring board arrangement of an imaging device includes an image pickup device movable in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis, a flexible printed wiring board extending from the image pickup device, and a movable support member which is positioned behind the image pickup device in the optical axis direction to support the flexible printed wiring board. The movable support member moves with the image pickup device in directions orthogonal to the optical axis when the image pickup device is moved, and a part of the flexible printed wiring board is disposed along a front surface of the movable support member behind the image pickup device.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an axial-direction moving member which moves between an operating position and a retracted position in an optical axis direction, an in-plane moving optical element movable in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis, a controller which moves the in-plane moving optical element in the orthogonal plane to a reference position when the image device changes from the operating state to the retracted state, and a mechanical guide device, provided between the axial-direction moving member and the in-plane moving optical element. In a state where the in-plane moving optical element is deviated from the reference position, the mechanical guide device guides the in-plane moving optical element to the reference position by using a moving force of the axial-direction moving member when the axial-direction moving member moves from the operating position to the retracted position.

Abstract: An optical element position control mechanism includes an optical element holding member, a lead screw rotatable on a rotational axis parallel to movement direction of the optical element holding member, a linearly moving nut screw-engaged with the lead screw and engaged with the optical element holding member, and a rotation prevention device preventing the linearly moving nut from rotating about the lead screw. Rotations of the lead screw cause the linearly moving nut to move along the lead screw, a position of the optical element holding member being determined by the linearly moving nut. A biasing device is positioned between the linearly moving nut and the optical element holding member and is resiliently deformable in a plane substantially parallel to a plane which includes the rotational axis of the lead screw, and applies a biasing force against the linearly moving nut so as to be prevented from rotating.

Abstract: An optical apparatus including an electrical component which is movable in a plane, and a flexible printed wiring board in the shape of a strip, the widthwise direction thereof being parallel to the plane, which connects the electrical component to a stationary board, wherein the flexible printed wiring board includes a folded extension portion which firstly extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane and is subsequently folded back at a folded portion to extend in a direction opposite thereto; and at least one slit which is provided to pass through the folded portion and to split at least a part of the folded extension portion into at least two split portions thereof in the widthwise direction of the flexible printed wiring board.

Abstract: An image stabilizer includes a pair of first parallel guide rods mounted to a stationary member extending in a first direction; a first moving stage supported by the first parallel guide rods to be movable in the first direction; a pair of second parallel guide rods mounted to the first moving stage extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a second moving stage which holds an image-stabilizing optical element and supported by the second parallel guide rods to be movable in the second direction; first and second biasing devices which bias the first and second moving stages in the first and second directions; first and second driving devices which drive the first and second moving stages in the first and second directions. The pair of first and second parallel guide rods lie in a common plane orthogonal to an optical axis.

Abstract: An image stabilizer includes a first moving stage supported by a stationary member movable in a first direction in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis; a second moving stage holding an image-stabilizing optical element and supported by the first moving member to be movable in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction; and first and second driving devices which are supported by the stationary member and drive the first and second moving stages in the first and second directions, respectively. The second driving device includes a moving element which is moved in the second direction, and a linkage portion which associatively links the second moving stage and the moving element to each other in a manner to allow the second moving stage and the moving element to move relative to each other in the first direction.