Abstract: A movable part of a robot, such as the fingers of the robot hand, are provided with an array of tactile elements mounted on a substrate. Each element includes a magnetic dipole embedded in a compliant medium on one side of the substrate and a magnetic sensor on the other side of the substrate. The dipole and sensor are in parallel planes. A force or torque deforms the compliant medium and displaces the magnetic dipoles with respect to the sensor. The sensor detects the change in magnetic field and produces an electrical signal which is used to control the robot. Magnetoresistive sensors are preferred. To detect torque, each element illustratively includes four sensors arranged at 90.degree. to one another and a magnetic dipole oriented at 45.degree. to each sensor.

Abstract: An articulating waveguide arm assembly, comprising long arm segments, (11, 12, 15, 17, 19) and short corner segments (13, 14, 16, 18) has a single-mode hollow dielectric waveguide located inside each segment and an optically reflecting device (33, 34, 37, 38, 39) located at the end of each segment. The waveguide assembly is mechanically affixed to a robot assembly having protruding side shields (65, 66). The robot assembly includes a pair of long arms (61, 62) corresponding to a pair of the waveguide arms (15, 17). Another waveguide arm segment (12) of the waveguide assembly passes over the protruding side shields and terminates in a pair of successive corner segments (13, 14) for enabling a laser beam propagating through this long arm segment to enter into one of the pair of long waveguide segments (61).

Abstract: Described is a robot having a proximity sensor which is based on the reentrant-loop magnetic effect. In one embodiment this sensor in a robot hand can detect the position and orientation of magnetized objects within about a 5 cm range, independently of the speed of approach.

Abstract: An optical change in a device is produced through modification of the surface tension between two materials by the change of an electric field. For example, such a device is formed by introducing an electrolyte and a metal such as mercury into a capillary tube. The surface tension between the two fluids is changed through application of a voltage between them. When the surface tension is altered the relative positions of the fluids in the tube also change. Thus, it is possible to introduce one fluid into a portion of the tube which contained the other before the change in voltage, i.e., the position of the interface between the fluids, is moved. If the two fluids have different colors, the translation produces a color change if the area of the tube near the initial interface position is viewed.

Abstract: A display cell having at least two states of different opacity, comprises a first material having a first index of refraction, a second material dispersed within the first material and having a second index of refraction, the difference between the first and the second indices of refraction being variable over a range of values, and means for varying the difference in index of refraction over a portion of the range. When the indices of refraction of the first and second material are substantially the same, the display is substantially transparent. Otherwise it is opaque or substantially less transparent.

Abstract: Two opposing fingers of a robot hand are each provided with an array of optical devices which are capable of being in optical communication with one another through the gap between the fingers. One finger is provided with an array of light emitters and the other is provided with an array of light recepetors. By taking advantage of the motion of the robot hand and the small size of the optical devices, the shape of an object between the fingers can be detected by using at least one linear set, and preferably at least two linear sets, of devices in each array. Illustratively, the linear sets form a T-shaped array or a U-shaped array and are disposed along the edges of the fingers. In one embodiment the emitters are GRIN rod lenses coupled through a fiber cable to a light source, and the receptors are also GRIN rod lenses coupled through a fiber cable to a camera system. A manufacturing method utilizing such a sensor to identify the shape of objects is also described.