Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes an elongate shaft having a working end and a shaft axis. The proximal end of a wrist member is pivotally mounted on the working end of the shaft to rotate around a first pitch axis to produce rotation in first pitch. An end effector is pivotally mounted on a distal portion of the wrist member to rotate around a wrist axis of the wrist member to produce rotation in distal roll. The wrist axis extends between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the wrist member. The elongate shaft is rotatable around the shaft axis to produce rotation in proximal roll.

Abstract: The canine excrement collector is a mechanical device for canine excrement collection. The canine excrement collector includes a telescopic mast with a handle and a walking leash on the upper end of the telescopic mast. The canine excrement collector further includes a trigger positioned at the upper end of the telescopic mast. The trigger is internally attached to a retractable pulley. The retractable pulley is connected to a cord whose free end extends longitudinally inside the telescopic mast, passing through a second pulley connected to a floating hexagonal piece, and reaching a fixed hexagonal piece located at a lower end of the telescopic mast.

Abstract: A jointed mechanism including a segment coupled to a joint; and an elongated component coupled to the segment, where applying a pulling force to the elongated component rotates the segment around the joint, elastically deforming the elongated component; wherein the elastic deformation generates an elongated component elastic force sufficient to rotate the segment, in an opposite direction, in absence of the pulling force.

Abstract: A mechanical capstan amplifier. The mechanical capstan amplifier (60) having a first tensioner (64) with a first actuating rod (72) extending therefrom. The first tensioner (64) is configured to rotate the first actuating rod (72). The amplifier (60) also includes a drive motor (62) having a drive rod (78) extending therefrom. The drive motor (62) is configured to rotate the drive rod (78). A first cord (66), extending between the first actuating rod (72) and a first load to be moved also extends at least partially around the drive rod (78). Actuation of the first tensioner (64) causes the first cord (66) to tighten around the drive rod (78) and moves the load.

Abstract: A compliant underactuated grasper includes a palm base and two fingers. Each of the fingers comprises: a proximal phalanx; a distal phalanx; a compliant flexure joint connecting the distal phalanx to the proximal phalanx; and a pin joint connecting the proximal phalanx to the palm base, the pin joint constraining angular movement of the proximal phalanx relative to the palm base to rotation about a pin pivot axis. The grasper further includes at least one actuator to move the fingers. The grasper has fewer actuators than degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A compliant underactuated grasper includes a base and a plurality of fingers. At least one of the plurality of fingers includes: a proximal phalanx; a proximal joint connecting the proximal phalanx to the base; a distal phalanx; a distal joint connecting the distal phalanx to the proximal phalanx; and a member for moving the phalanges. At least one of the proximal joint and the distal joint includes a flexure joint having a first compliance in a first direction and a second compliance in a second direction, the second compliance being stiffer than the first compliance. The distal phalanx includes: a rounded end face; and a lifting portion including a lifting edge adjacent the rounded end face. The member acts in parallel to the first direction. The grasper further includes at least one actuator associated with the member. The grasper has fewer actuators than degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A robotic finger assembly can include a base for mounting the finger to a robotic hand, with the base having a motor, and at least three links. The links of the robotic hand are connected to each other and to the base by a series of joints. A joint shaft and a pivot shaft, where the pivot shaft can freely move within its respective joint shaft, is connected to a preceding link. The motor is activated for opening or closing the finger. The finger closes on an object with a distributed force across the links. Grasping also can mean engaging an object like a human hand, by closing the first finger link until it engages the object, then closing the second finger link until it engages the object, then closing the third link until it engages the object. A robotic hand assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand-held remote access device, such as a netting tool, includes a jaw portion having a pair of nets movable relative to each other between fully clamped and fully opened positions thereof, a handle portion spaced apart from the jaw portion by a bendable central portion that has a hollow, corrugated member having alternating ridges and grooves that is bendable so as to attain a predetermined shape.

Abstract: A tendon-driven robotic gripper is disclosed for performing fingertip and enveloping grasps. One embodiment comprises two fingers, each with two links, and is actuated using a single active tendon. During unobstructed closing, the distal links remain parallel, creating exact fingertip grasps. Conversely, if the proximal links are stopped by contact with an object, the distal links start flexing, creating a stable enveloping grasp. The route of the active tendon and the parameters of the springs providing passive extension forces are optimized in order to achieve this behavior. An additional passive tendon is disclosed that may be used as a constraint preventing the gripper from entering undesirable parts of the joint workspace. A method for optimizing the dimensions of the links in order to achieve enveloping grasps of a large range of objects is disclosed and applied to a set of common household objects.

Abstract: A plurality of interconnected phalanges form robotic fingers configured to grasp an object. The phalanges interact with a resilient compliant element for adjustable resilient cushioning of movement of the phalanges.

Abstract: A robotic device is described herein. The robotic device includes a frame that comprises a plurality of receiving regions that are configured to receive a respective plurality of modular robotic extensions. The modular robotic extensions are removably attachable to the frame at the respective receiving regions by way of respective mechanical fuses. Each mechanical fuse is configured to trip when a respective modular robotic extension experiences a predefined load condition, such that the respective modular robotic extension detaches from the frame when the load condition is met.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a tendon-driven end effector, a linear actuator, a flexible tendon, and a plate assembly. The linear actuator assembly has a servo motor and a drive mechanism, the latter of which translates linearly with respect to a drive axis of the servo motor in response to output torque from the servo motor. The tendon connects to the end effector and drive mechanism. The plate assembly is disposed between the linear actuator assembly and the tendon-driven end effector and includes first and second plates. The first plate has a first side that defines a boss with a center opening. The second plate defines an arcuate through-slot having tendon guide channels. The first plate defines a through passage for the tendon between the center opening and a second side of the first plate. A looped end of the flexible tendon is received within the tendon guide channels.

Abstract: An object is to provide a robot hand and a robot that are compact and lightweight and can reliably hold various types of workpieces. To achieve this object, the robot hand and the robot include: a plurality of joint portions that rotates about respective rotation axes parallel with each other; a plurality of links that is connected via each of the joint portions in sequence from a distal end; a linking member that links rotations of the joint portions adjacent to each other; and a single drive source that drives only the joint portion at a proximal end to rotate the joint portion.

Abstract: A robot and a control method thereof which execute grasp planning of hands of the robot separately from motion planning of arms of the robot so as to apply a result of the grasp planning of the hands of the robot to the motion planning of the arms of the robot, and thus more rapidly, naturally and stably grasp an object in a grasp manner suited to a desired working purpose and judge whether or not grasping is executable prior to the motion planning of the arms of the robot, thereby more stably grasping the object.

Abstract: An animal waste scooper has a flexible extension adapted to be reversibly coiled such that when it is uncoiled, a trigger operated jaws/scooping portion of the device is employed to pick up waste. The flexible scooper device includes a handle with a trigger, a flexible, preferably corrugated extension assembly and a pair of jaws. Other embodiments are directed to a reversibly flexible, bendable hand operated device for grasping a golf ball from the ground from a standing position.

Abstract: A tendon-driven robotic gripper is disclosed for performing fingertip and enveloping grasps. One embodiment comprises two fingers, each with two links, and is actuated using a single active tendon. During unobstructed closing, the distal links remain parallel, creating exact fingertip grasps. Conversely, if the proximal links are stopped by contact with an object, the distal links start flexing, creating a stable enveloping grasp. The route of the active tendon and the parameters of the springs providing passive extension forces are optimized in order to achieve this behavior. An additional passive tendon is disclosed that may be used as a constraint preventing the gripper from entering undesirable parts of the joint workspace. A method for optimizing the dimensions of the links in order to achieve enveloping grasps of a large range of objects is disclosed and applied to a set of common household objects.

Abstract: Robotic hands and finger modules include an underactuated finger with multiple joints including a distal joint, an intermediate joint, and a proximal joint. A brake subsystem in communication with each of the joints selectively locks and unlocks the joints individually. A robotic hand can selectively lock the joints of a finger individually such that one or more joints are locked while one or more joints are unlocked. In addition, the finger module can drive a tendon coupled to the joints to flex the underactuated finger in a manner determined by which of the joints is locked and which of the joints is unlocked. A robotic hand can move an underactuated finger with its distal and proximal joints unlocked until the finger makes contact with an object, and lock the proximal joint, in response to contact made with the object, while the distal joint remains unlocked.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses a robot hand of underactuated mechanism. The robot hand includes a plurality of actuators, a plurality of joints where the number of the joints is more than the number of the actuators, a palm portion, three finger portions each including a plurality of links having bases coupled to the palm portion and coupled being capable of flexion, and a shape-fitting mechanism which is provided in at the finger portion, and which enables to grasp an object to be grasped in an enclosing manner with the finger portions by performing providing torsional displacement to the links.

Abstract: A hand-held remote access device, such as a gripping tool, includes a jaw portion having a pair of jaws movable relative to each other between fully clamped and fully opened positions thereof, a handle portion spaced apart from the jaw portion by a bendable central portion that has a hollow, corrugated member having alternating ridges and grooves that is bendable so as to attain a predetermined shape.

Abstract: A reaching apparatus is provided for allowing a user to utilize gross motor skills to actuate the reaching apparatus. The reaching apparatus includes a fixed and a sliding handle on a shaft. An internal pulley system is connected between the first and second handles such that sliding of the second handle activates the pulley system to move the claw of the reaching apparatus between an open and closed configuration. The claw may be locked in an open and/or closed configuration by rotation of the handle on the shaft. The pulley system can be set to specific resistance to activate the claw upon different gross motor levels.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a robot hand including a frame, a link member moving relative to the frame, a joint unit provided between the frame and the link member, a drive unit supplying power to the joint unit so as to rotate the link member, and a backlash removal unit supplying constant torque to the joint unit, even if a relative position of the link member to the frame is changed as the link member is rotated.

Abstract: A minimal access tool includes a frame arranged to be attached to an arm of a user, a tool shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, where the tool shaft proximal end is connected to the frame. The tool further includes an input joint having a first end connected to the frame and a second end arranged to receive user input, the input joint including a virtual center-of-rotation (VC) mechanism which provides a center of rotation that generally coincides with a wrist joint of the user. An output joint is connected to the tool shaft distal end, where the output joint is coupled to the input joint via a mechanical transmission connected therebetween to correlate motion of the input joint to motion of the output joint.

Abstract: A robotic finger that includes multiple phalanges, each phalange configured to be compliantly actuated. The robotic finger also includes compliant touch sensors that, in combination with the compliant actuation, provides the robotic finger with two levels of compliance. The two levels of compliance enable the robotic finger to gently conform to and manipulate objects.

Abstract: A gripping device includes a handle extended from a housing, an extension slidably attached onto the housing, a casing attached to the extension, a pair of pawls mounted in the casing and movable toward and away from each other for gripping a ticket, a trigger having a carrier pivotally attached to the handle, and a connecting device having a cable coupled to the pawls and the carrier of the trigger for allowing the pawls to be selectively moved toward each other with the carrier of the trigger and the cable. The gripping device includes fewer parts or elements to be easily and quickly manufactured and assembled with a decreased assembling procedure and with a decreased manufacturing cost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an under-actuated robotic finger with joint locking mechanisms, including: a base body; a first finger part coupled rotatably to the base body; a second finger part coupled rotatably to the first finger part; a first hinge part adapted to rotatably connect the base body and the first finger part; a second hinge part adapted to rotatably connect the first finger part and the second finger part; a first locking mechanism adapted to restrict the rotation of the first finger part; and a second locking mechanism adapted to restrict the rotation of the second finger part.

Abstract: A robot hand which can be formed in the shape of a human hand and improves maintenance performance, and generates fingertip force is provided. A robot hand (1) of the present invention is provided with a hand section (3) and an arm section (5). The hand section (3) corresponds to the portion of a human hand which is forward from the wrist thereof. The arm section (5) is provided with a drive device (d5) including a plurality of motors and generates driving torque for driving each movable section of the hand section (3). The hand section (3) and the arm section (5) are configured in such a manner that a group (g36) of wrist-mounted pulleys which are first driving torque transmitting members coaxially arranged and a group (r5) of arm pulleys which are second driving torque transmitting members coaxially arranged transmit driving torque generated by the drive device (d5) to each movable section of the hand section (3) via gears meshing with each other.

Abstract: A hand-held remote access device, such as a gripping tool, includes a jaw portion having a pair of jaws movable relative to each other between fully clamped and fully opened positions thereof, a handle portion spaced apart from the jaw portion by a bendable central portion that has a hollow, corrugated member having alternating ridges and grooves that is bendable so as to attain a predetermined shape.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a robot actuator and a humanoid robot having the same. The robot actuator includes a rotation driving source, a ball screw member including a ball screw part connected to the rotation driving source and a nut part connected to the ball screw part, a guide member separated in parallel from the ball screw part, a slider member movably supported by the guide member, and a connection member connecting the slider member and the nut part to move the slider member in connection with movement of the nut part, and the connection member is relatively movably connected to at least one of the nut part and the slider member. Therefore, efficiency in force reflection and back-drivability of the actuator is improved.

Abstract: A finger-gesticulation hand device includes a base frame representing a metacarpal part of the human hand, and at least three digits mounted on the base frame and appearing to be a thumb and at least two fingers. Each digit has at least two phalange portions respectively linked by two joints which permit a flexing movement of the phalange portions between extended and flexed positions. An actuating cord passes through each digit and is actuated by a solenoid actuator unit to pull the phalange portions of the respective digit to the flexed position. The hand device is simple in construction and capable of making hand gestures in a simple manner.

Abstract: A robot has a structure in which finger joints do not interfere with each other. The robot includes a first actuator driving the finger joint, a first power transmission, a second actuator driving the finger joint, and a second power transmission. The first actuator and the first power transmission are coupled with a wrist joint so that the position of the first actuator and the first power transmission is changed. Accordingly, even if the wrist joint operates, the distance between the first actuator and the finger joint is constantly maintained.

Abstract: A humanoid robot includes a torso, a pair of arms, two hands, a neck, and a head. The torso extends along a primary axis and presents a pair of shoulders. The pair of arms movably extend from a respective one of the pair of shoulders. Each of the arms has a plurality of arm joints. The neck movably extends from the torso along the primary axis. The neck has at least one neck joint. The head movably extends from the neck along the primary axis. The head has at least one head joint. The shoulders are canted toward one another at a shrug angle that is defined between each of the shoulders such that a workspace is defined between the shoulders.

Abstract: This invention provides hand operated portable devices for grasping and manipulation of objects as well as methods of their use.

Abstract: A gripping mechanism for gripping an object includes a base, a first gripping module, a second gripping module, and a driving device. The first gripping module is disposed on the base and has at least one receiving slot. The second gripping module is movably disposed in the receiving slot. The driving device is disposed on the base and connected to the first gripping module and the second gripping module. The driving device is operable to drive the first gripping module to switch between an opened state and a closed state, or drive the second gripping module to move relative to the first gripping module to enable the gripping mechanism to grip or release the object.

Abstract: A robot hand may have an improved structure so that movements of some of joints of a finger structure do not influence operations of other joints. A meta phalangeal (MP) roll joint unit rotated in a roll direction and an MP pitch joint unit rotated in a pitch direction of an MP joint unit are separately arranged to form an offset. Movable angles of the respective joint units are widened, and the joint units are precisely controlled. Overall friction within the robot hand is reduced, and a robot having the hand is stabilized.

Abstract: A robot hand, which minimizes the number of actuators and adjusts the bending angles of joints through torque limiters to flexibly and finely control finger units, and a humanoid robot having the robot hand. The robot hand includes a torque limiter disposed on at least any one joint of a plurality of joints to link another joint of the plurality of joints with the any one joint through a power transmission member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a humanoid robot capable of improving power transmission efficiency of a wire and movement displacement of a wrist joint by modifying the structure of the wrist joint serving as a passage for wires. The humanoid robot includes a robot hand including a power transmission device for transferring gripping force to finger members. The power transmission device includes connection members connecting an actuator to finger joints and guide members for guiding the connection members. The guide members include a first guide member coupled to a robot arm and a second guide member coupled to a hand body. The connection members are alternately wound around the first and second guide members. The gripping force is enhanced whereby a length of the connection members provided between the first and second guide members is constantly maintained even if the second guide member is shifted from the first guide member.

Abstract: A bidirectional tendon terminator that has particular application for terminating a tendon that actuates a finger in a robotic arm. The tendon terminator includes a cylindrical member having an internal channel through which a single continuous piece of the tendon extends. The internal channel of the tendon terminator includes a widened portion. A ball is placed in the tendon strands, which causes the tendon to expand, and the ball is positioned within the widened portion of the channel. Pulling on the tendon operates to either open or close the finger of the robotic arm depending on which direction the tendon is pulled. In one specific embodiment, the cylinder includes two cylindrical pieces that are coupled together so that the ball can be positioned within the channel and the cylindrical member has an entire circumference of material.

Abstract: A roll joint utilizes at least one tendon guide surface to guide actuator tendons for distal roll off and on their respective drums on a central shaft of the roll joint. The tendon guide surface turns the actuator tendon in an axial direction in a more compact space than might be required for a pair of pulleys, while using fewer parts with larger features more easily formed on a small scale.

Abstract: A multi-fingered underactuated mechanical grasping system driven by a single actuator, yet can grasp objects spanning a wide range of size, shape, and mass. A member for moving a link relative to a base acts in parallel to a direction of compliance of a joint between the link and the base. The joint has a plurality of degrees of freedom. The number of members for moving links in the grasping system is less than the number of degrees of freedom in the grasping system.

Abstract: A force sensor is disposed on a base portion, a finger base on which a pair of fingers are opposed to each other is disposed on a measuring unit of the force sensor, a finger driving mechanism base is disposed on the base portion so as to not contact the force sensor, the finger base or the fingers, and finger driving mechanisms are disposed on the finger driving mechanism base so finger opening and closing driving force vectorsface each other within a plane on which the pair of the opposed fingers are moved to open or close so as to cancel each other, such that the fingers are driven so the resultant force is virtually zero. An actuator, is installed at a place other than the base portion, the force sensor, the finger base, or the fingers and the finger driving mechanism base, and drives the finger driving mechanism.

Abstract: A multi-fingered robotic hand comprises a base, a rotation member rotatably connected to an end of the base, a driving means, and a plurality of digits. The driving means is configured for driving the rotation member to rotate. Each digit comprises a proximal phalanx, a middle phalanx and a first transmission member. The proximal phalanx is connected to the rotation member. The middle phalanx is rotatably connected to the proximal phalanx. The first transmission member includes two ends respectively attached to the proximal phalanx and the middle phalanx, wherein the first transmission member is configured for transmitting rotation of the proximal phalanx to the middle phalanx.

Abstract: A robotic hand with finger assemblies to better simulate human hand form factors and gestures. For each finger assembly, the robotic hand includes a finger drive assembly that is operable to selectively apply tension to four elongated and flexible tension elements (e.g., steel cable). Each of the finger assemblies includes a set of links or link members that are actuated or moved by the selective tensioning/movement of the tension elements by the drive assembly. The links are interconnected with pivotal joints such that they have three degrees-of-freedom, and the finger assembly includes a set of pulleys that are supported on the links and that are arranged to provide support and to guide the tension elements through the finger assembly. The tension elements preferably extend only partially about any one of the pulleys, whereby the finger assembly utilizes “n+1” actuation with non-helical wrapping of the tension elements.

Abstract: A robot configured to check whether an object is properly grasped by a hand determines whether the position and posture of a handle (object), determined based on an image obtained by a camera (external information), and the position and posture of the handle in the case where the handle is assumed to be properly grasped, determined from the posture of a robot based on an output or the like of a rotary encoder (internal information), agree with each other. In response to the determination of whether the external information and the internal information agree with each other, it is determined whether the handle is properly grasped based on a force detected by a six-axis force sensor provided on each hand.

Abstract: A robot hand may have an improved structure so that movements of some of joints of a finger structure do not influence operations of other joints. A meta phalangeal (MP) roll joint unit rotated in a roll direction and an MP pitch joint unit rotated in a pitch direction of an MP joint unit are separately arranged to form an offset. Movable angles of the respective joint units are widened, and the joint units are precisely controlled. Overall friction within the robot hand is reduced, and a robot having the hand is stabilized.

Abstract: A gutter cleaning apparatus includes a pair of opposing reverse curved blades biased open and connected together at upper edges by spring hinges. A fixed blade attaches to an extendible pole. A movable blade includes a lever arm fixed to an end of a rope that extends down the axis of the pole to the user's hand. During operation, the end of the pole with the attached apparatus is lifted over the gutter; the blades are lowered into the gutter sidewalls, and slid along the gutter trough to pile up debris. The apparatus, with open blades, is lifted over the pile and lowered into the debris. The rope is then pulled taut to close the blades and grasp the debris. The apparatus and debris are lifted from the gutter. Tension on the rope is slackened to release the debris that falls to the ground for collection and disposal.

Abstract: A joint drive mechanism includes a plurality of link members linked via a joint portion. A drive portion is associated with the joint portion for driving the joint portion such that the link members attached thereto can be moved relative to one another in a controlled fashion. The drive portion includes a plurality of drive elements that each are capable of expanding or contracting in response to an applied electric signal so as to provide different drive outputs to the joint portion. In one embodiment, a joint portion connects link members simulating portions of a human finger. The drive portion includes a pair of drive elements connected to the joint portion by a transmission member. Each of the drive elements is expanded or contracted equally and oppositely relative to the other drive element in response to controlled applied electrical signals.

Abstract: A prehensor is provided comprising embodiments of a variable mechanical advantage mechanism, the prehensor including a first mechanical advantage for sizing an object, and a second mechanical advantage for gripping the object. Embodiments of the variable mechanical advantage mechanism include a brake assembly and multiple embodiments of a brakeless assembly. Additionally, multiple embodiments of a selectable voluntary opening/voluntary closing mechanism are provided, whereby a single prehensor can be switched back and forth between a voluntary closing mode and a voluntary opening mode. Additional embodiments include a safety clutch, an improved prehensor tendon, replaceable digits, and self decontaminating digits.

Abstract: Gravity-actuated device for retrieving various types of objects from various ground surfaces. The device has a single retrieval arm pivotably mounted on a slender frame. Gripping elements on the end of the retrieval arm allow the operator to grip a variety of objects, including soft flexible objects, such as a glove, rigid slender objects, such as an arrow, or objects having a loop or strap, such as a thermos bottle. The device is suspended from above to retrieve the object and collapses to a slender compact configuration when not in use.

Abstract: A robotic hand and arm where the fingers are driven by rotational motors with drums, and pulled with cables using rolling friction. The hand extends into a robotic arm through a wrist wherein the wrist is controlled by pneumatic cylinders. Each finger preferably is provided with four manufactured parts and a single pulley. The thumb is provided with three pulleys for independent distal movement. Cables wraps around or over pulleys, eliminating tight bends. A glove is provided about the robotic hand which provides a compressive, liquid resistant membrane.

Abstract: A robotic device may include a plurality of concatenated assemblies, a tendon slidably connected to the plurality of concatenated assemblies, and an actuator that moves the tendon. Each assembly of the concatenated plurality may include a joining member that neighbors an adjacent assembly, a linkage that may fixedly connect to the joining member and may pivotably connect to the adjacent assembly, and an appendage that may extend from the joining member to a length. The appendage may include a connector through which the tendon may be connected to slide through. The connector may be adjustably disposable along the length of the appendage to a specified position thereon. The appendage may extend in a direction at a specified angle relative to the linkage.