Abstract: Compliant manipulators are provided, in which the manipulators include a plurality of slideably interlocked filaments each having a proximate end and a distal end. The interlocked filaments can be formed from a flexible material. The compliant manipulators can also include at least one filament-actuating device operatively connected to the respective distal ends of the plurality of slideably interlocked filaments. The at least one filament-actuating device can be manipulated directly or remotely to push and/or pull the respective filaments to impart a desired movement to the manipulator. The stiffness or flexibility of the manipulators can also be controlled to provide varying degrees of stiffness during use.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a head section having a selectively actuated first plurality of claws, a tail section having a selectively actuated second plurality of claws, and a linear actuator operably coupling the head section to the tail section. The linear actuator is configured to be selectively extended and retracted. The vehicle is configured to move forward within an enclosed space by extending the linear actuator, while the first plurality of claws is not actuated and the second plurality of claws is actuated, then retracting the linear actuator, while the first plurality of claws is actuated and the second plurality of claws is not actuated.

Abstract: A device includes first and second sheets of first and second elastic materials, respectively, and a control wire. The first sheet has a first thickness and a first length and is shaped to have a first cross-section having a first inner periphery and a first outer periphery. The second sheet has a second thickness and a second length and is shaped to have a second cross-section having a second inner periphery and a second outer periphery. One of the first sheet and the second sheet has a spacing disposed in along one of the first length and the second length, respectively. The first outer periphery is less than or equal to the second inner periphery. The second sheet surrounds the first sheet. The control wire has an end constrained to one of the first sheet the first material and the second sheet. The control wire is disposed within the spacing.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a head section having a selectively actuated first plurality of claws, a tail section having a selectively actuated second plurality of claws, and a linear actuator operably coupling the head section to the tail section. The linear actuator is configured to be selectively extended and retracted. The vehicle is configured to move forward within an enclosed space by extending the linear actuator, while the first plurality of claws is not actuated and the second plurality of claws is actuated, then retracting the linear actuator, while the first plurality of claws is actuated and the second plurality of claws is not actuated.

Abstract: Compliant manipulators are provided, in which the manipulators include a plurality of slideably interlocked filaments each having a proximate end and a distal end. The interlocked filaments can be formed from a flexible material. The compliant manipulators can also include at least one filament-actuating device operatively connected to the respective distal ends of the plurality of slideably interlocked filaments. The at least one filament-actuating device can be manipulated directly or remotely to push and/or pull the respective filaments to impart a desired movement to the manipulator. The stiffness or flexibility of the manipulators can also be controlled to provide varying degrees of stiffness during use.

Abstract: A device includes first and second sheets of first and second elastic materials, respectively, and a control wire. The first sheet has a first thickness and a first length and is shaped to have a first cross-section having a first inner periphery and a first outer periphery. The second sheet has a second thickness and a second length and is shaped to have a second cross-section having a second inner periphery and a second outer periphery. One of the first sheet and the second sheet has a spacing disposed in along one of the first length and the second length, respectively. The first outer periphery is less than or equal to the second inner periphery. The second sheet surrounds the first sheet. The control wire has an end constrained to one of the first sheet the first material and the second sheet. The control wire is disposed within the spacing.