Abstract: A method of constructing an inflatable fluidic actuator. The method includes coupling a first interface to a tube configuration of membrane material at a first tube end by coupling the first interface to the tube configuration at the first tube end by generating at least one of: a first bond between the membrane material and one or more first sidewalls of the first interface and a first external face bond between membrane material at the first tube end onto a first external face of the first interface.

Abstract: A method of constructing an inflatable fluidic actuator that includes generating a tube configuration with one or more shapes of fluid-impermeable membrane material, the tube configuration having a first tube end and a second tube end and an internal tube face and an external tube face. The method also includes coupling a first and second interface to the tube configuration at the first and second tube ends by respectively coupling each interface to the tube configuration at a respective tube end by generating at least one of: a first circumferential bond between the fluid-impermeable membrane material and one or more sidewalls of the interface; and an external face bond between fluid-impermeable membrane material at the tube end onto an external face of the interface.

Abstract: An exoskeleton system comprising: one or more actuator units that comprise a fluidic actuator; an exoskeleton device; one or more cables, the one or more cables comprising a first cable extending from the exoskeleton device to a first actuator unit of the one or more actuator units; and a retractable cable assembly coupled to the first cable, with the retractable cable assembly configured to pull the first cable to reduce slack in the first cable.

Abstract: An exoskeleton system that includes at least one actuator unit having an upper arm and a lower arm that are rotatably coupled via a joint and a fluidic actuator that extends between the upper arm and the lower arm.

Abstract: An exoskeleton system, the exoskeleton system comprising one or more actuator units that include a fluidic actuator, one or more sensors and an exoskeleton device. The exoskeleton device includes a fluidic system, and a processor and memory, the memory storing instructions, that when executed by the processor, are configured to control the exoskeleton system to introduce fluid to the fluidic actuator of the one or more actuator units to cause actuation of the fluidic actuator of the one or more actuator units. The exoskeleton system may be configured to operate in, on or around a body of water and can be water and/or corrosion resistant.

Abstract: An exoskeleton system comprising at least one actuator unit that includes a fluidic actuator; an exoskeleton device including a fluidic system, and electronics; and a first cable extending from the exoskeleton device to the at least one actuator unit.

Abstract: An exoskeleton system comprising a fluidic actuator and a power transmission that includes: a transmission body that defines a transmission chamber configured to hold a fluid, the transmission body having a first and second end, and a piston that translates within the transmission chamber between the first and second ends of the transmission body, with translation of the piston within the transmission chamber changing a volume of the transmission chamber. The exoskeleton system also includes a mechanical power source coupled to the power transmission configured to cause the piston to translate within respective transmission body to change the volume of the transmission cavity; and a first fluid line that couples the power transmission to the fluidic actuator.

Abstract: An exoskeleton system comprising at least one leg actuator unit configured to be coupled to leg of a user, the leg actuator unit including: an upper arm and a lower arm that are rotatably coupled via a joint, the joint positioned at a knee of the user with the upper arm coupled about an upper leg portion of the user above the knee and with the lower arm coupled about a lower leg portion of the user below the knee, a leg-actuator-unit user interface comprising a plurality of input and feedback elements, and an actuator that extends between the upper arm and lower arms.

Abstract: A method of operating a modular exoskeleton system, the method comprising: monitoring for one or more actuator units being operably coupled to or removed from the modular exoskeleton system, the modular exoskeleton system comprising at least a first actuator unit configured to be operably coupled and removed from the modular exoskeleton system; determining that the first actuator unit has been operably coupled to the modular exoskeleton system; determining the first actuator unit has been associated with a first body portion of the user; determining a first new operating configuration based at least in part on the determination that the first actuator unit has been operably coupled to the modular exoskeleton system and the determination that the first actuator unit has been associated with the first body portion of the user; and setting the first new operating configuration for the modular exoskeleton system.

Abstract: An exoskeleton system comprising a leg actuator unit that is configured to be coupled to a leg of a user. The leg actuator unit includes: an upper arm and a lower arm that are rotatably coupled via a rotatable joint, the rotatable joint configured to be positioned at a knee of the user with the upper arm coupled about an upper-leg portion of the user above the knee and with the lower arm coupled about a lower-leg portion of the user below the knee. The upper arm is configured to be coupled to the upper-leg portion above the knee via a first set of couplers that includes a first upper-leg coupler, the lower arm is configured to be coupled to the lower-leg portion below the knee via a second set of couplers that includes one or more lower-leg couplers associated with a lower-leg brace, and an actuator extends between the upper arm and lower arm, the actuator configurable to move the upper arm and lower arm.

Abstract: An exoskeleton system comprising an inflatable actuator configured to be worn by a user. The inflatable actuator includes a fluid-impermeable member that defines a fluid chamber at least in part by a membrane material and a first and second interface that each define sidewalls, the membrane material is coupled to the sidewalls of the first and second interfaces.

Abstract: A method of constructing an inflatable fluidic actuator that includes generating a tube configuration with one or more shapes of fluid-impermeable membrane material, the tube configuration having a first tube end and a second tube end and an internal tube face and an external tube face. The method also includes coupling a first and second interface to the tube configuration at the first and second tube ends by respectively coupling each interface to the tube configuration at a respective tube end by generating at least one of: a first circumferential bond between the fluid-impermeable membrane material and one or more sidewalls of the interface; and an external face bond between fluid-impermeable membrane material at the tube end onto an external face of the interface.