Planetary exploration rovers have required a high traveling performance to overcome obstacles such as loose soil and rocks. Push-pull locomotion rovers is a unique scheme, like an inchworm, and it has high traveling performance on loose soil. Push-pull locomotion uses the resistance force by keeping a locked-wheel related to the ground, whereas the conventional rotational traveling uses the shear force

In this paper we introduce a novel robotic end-effector for pick-and-release of a sheet of cotton cloth. One of the main operations in a factory for sewing cloth products is to pick up cloth parts, provide them to a sewing machine, and sew them together. Fabric products are assembled by performing this work in various processes. Each work starts with a lot of cloth parts stacked near a sewing machine

This paper presents an extended Kalman filter for pose estimation using noise covariance matrices based on sensor output. Compact and lightweight nine-axis motion sensors are used for motion analysis in widely various fields such as medical welfare and sports. A nine-axis motion sensor includes a three-axis gyroscope, a three-axis accelerometer, and a three-axis magnetometer. Information obtained from

This paper proposes a locomotion approach of leg-wheel robot utilizing passive wheel attached to the foot of bipedal robot. The key feature of this approach is bipedal mobility without swing leg. This mobility contributes the stability based on expansion of support polygon during locomotion, the robustness for obstacles and stopping to prevent fall, and the adaptability by prevention of body swing

To obtain the necessary information on fuel debris and water leakages during the decommissioning task of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, an ultrasonic-based method was proposed for future internal investigation of the primary containment vessel (PCV). In this article, we describe the rotatable winch mechanism and visual localization method, which were used to aid the investigation. We used

Automatic analysis of our daily lives and activities through a first-person lifelog camera provides us with opportunities to improve our life rhythms or to support our limited visual memories. Notably, to express the visual experiences, the task of generating captions from first-person lifelog images has been actively studied in recent years. First-person images involve scenes approximating what users

This paper describes development of a mobile robot using semicircular wheels on uneven terrain. It performs the crawl gait on flat ground without changing potential energy and the butterfly gait to climb over debris. We also used crawl gait to perform turning motion. The butterfly gait is used to climb over high steps. Turning motion is achieved not only by creating a difference in angular velocity

We propose miniature ultrasonic motors using stators made of a single bulk piezoelectric element. The bulk piezoelectric stator has the potential to increase output by reducing the dissipation that occurs in the adhesion layer between the PZTs and a metallic component in the stator. In this paper, we build two kinds of bulk piezoelectric stators: a cubic bulk stator with a side length of 4.2 mm and

This paper proposes a novel, simple and high-efficient submerged structural stabilization system for a self-stabilizing buoy that provides a stable platform for oceanographic and meteorological sensors. The proposed stabilization system is a Seesaw-like Tuned Mass Damper (STMD) combined with a foil and is designed in a way to harvest the activation energy from incoming waves. A fixed rudder in the

Machines that are sensitive to environmental fluctuations, such as autonomous and pet robots, are currently in demand, rendering the ability to control huge and complex systems crucial. However, controlling such a system in its entirety using only one control device is difficult; for this purpose, a system must be both diverse and flexible. Herein, we derive and analyze the feature values of robot

A new approach to the active fault diagnosis (AFD) for input redundant plants is presented in this paper. A test signal which helps the diagnosis is injected to the plant in addition to nominal control input in the AFD typically. One feature of the proposed AFD is adaptive allocation of the test signal. The adaptive allocator which distributes the test signal and injects it to the redundant actuators

It is a problem that the poor gait function of many elderly people affects their activities of daily living (ADL), and deteriorates their quality of life (QoL). To enhance rehabilitation of the gait function, it is desirable to increase the amount of training received. In this research, we develop a measurement system for a gait training device that enables effective rehabilitation using the internet

Teleoperated robots are expected to perform tasks in extreme environments such as disaster sites. However, only few teleoperated robots are used for this purpose because their usability is poor compared to human skill in such tasks. Further, the use of human–machine interfaces used by teleoperated robots is in itself a human skill. In this study, we compare the skills of firefighters (experts) when

In this paper, a navigation and environment mapping method is presented for small exploration robots that use hopping motion. While previous research about hopping rovers mostly focuses on mobility and mechanical design, the motivation for the proposed method is to provide a fully autonomous navigation system using only a monocular camera. The method accurately estimates the hopping distance and reconstruct

Large-sized gantry-type linear motor sliders are widely used in industry (e.g. in liquid crystal panel production equipment). An appropriate control model is important for deriving control methods to improve control performance. Although various control models of large-sized gantry-type linear motor sliders have been developed in previous studies, no results are yet reported regarding control models

The wheelchair is the major means of transport for elderly and physically disabled people in their daily lives. However it cannot overcome architectural barriers such as curbs and stairs. In this study, we developed an inverted-pendulum-type robotic wheelchair for climbing stairs. This wheelchair has a seat slider and two rotary links between the front and rear wheels on each side. When climbing stairs

We have proposed and developed a new quadruped walking robot with a spherical shell, called “QRoSS”. QRoSS is a transformable robot that can store its legs in the spherical shell. The shell not only absorbs external forces from all directions, but also improves mobile performance because of its round shape. In rescue operations at a disaster site, carrying robots into a site is dangerous for operators

The currently available exoskeleton for assisting the paraplegic patient in walking usually adapts a pre-programmed gait that involves the patient following an exoskeleton lead. The system allows the patient to hold a pair of canes in order to keep balance, and does not contribute to keeping balance without the patient’s action. This paper proposes an algorithm based on the zero moment point (ZMP)

This paper proposes a stair-climbing gait for a four-wheeled vehicle. The idea and methodology of climbing stairs are described, and the results of experiments are shown. Crawler-type vehicles and vehicles with special, complicated mechanisms are commonly used for climbing continuous steps (stairs). In contrast, in this paper, a four-wheeled vehicle with additional degrees of freedom, whose mechanism

Locomotion is a fundamental human skill. Real-time sensing and feedback is a promising strategy for motion training to reconstruct healthy locomotion patterns lost due to aging or disease, and to prevent injuries. In this paper, we present a pilot study on locomotion training via biomechanical modeling and a wearable haptic feedback system. In addition, a novel simulation framework for motion tracking

This paper proposes a stiff and safe task-space position and attitude control scheme for robotic manipulators. This study extends the work of Kikuuwe et al’s. (2006) velocity-bounding proxy-based sliding mode control by explicitly addressing the attitude part. The proposed controller has a Jacobian-based structure, which realizes smooth trajectories when the desired attitude is far rotated from the

In a musculoskeletal system, internal tensile forces are generated among the muscles because it is a redundant system. The balancing of the internal tensile forces for a given posture generates a potential field in the system. Therefore, the potential field is utilized for the sensorless feedforward position control and improvement of stability based on the feedback method. However, the stability of

One of the main challenges for the elderly is insufficient lower limb strength during sit-to-stand movement, which may be improved by supporting the joint externally. Existing lower extremity exoskeletons use perfect revolute joints as knee joints, which do not match with human joint biomechanics. They also require a complex control system to produce the required torque at the corresponding joint angle

In robot teleoperation, a lack of depth information often results in collisions between the robots and obstacles in its path or surroundings. To address this issue, free viewpoint images can greatly benefit the operators in terms of collision avoidance as the operators are able to view the robot’s surrounding from the images at arbitrary points, giving them a better depth information. In this paper

In this paper, a novel visual-tactile sensor is proposed; additionally, an object manipulation method for a multi-fingered robotic hand grasping an object is proposed by detecting a contact position using the visual-tactile sensor. The visual-tactile sensor is composed of a hemispheric fingertip made of soft silicone with a hollow interior and a general USB camera located inside the fingertip to detect

Medication is an important approach of treatment for patients with schizophrenia; however, the availability of visiting nurses and other human-related support is limited. This study aims to build a system in which service robots support the treatment of individuals with schizophrenia with medication at home. Moreover, medical staff can seamlessly monitor the status of their patients through the robots

As the geriatric population expands, caregivers require more accurate training to handle and care for the elderly. However, students lack methods for acquiring the necessary skill and experience, as well as sufficient opportunities to practice on real human beings. To investigate the necessity and feasibility of care training assistant robots in care education, we developed a simulated robot as a shoulder

In this paper, we propose a wearable tactile sensor for measuring the shape of micro-undulations on a hard surface. The proposed sensor has two layers. The inner one is a thin rubber layer into which a strain gauge is embedded that is formed around a user’s finger. The outer layer is a flexible structure that consists of numerous pins on a flexible sheet. The shape of micro-undulations on an object

Stretching is a major treatment for restoring the ankle range of motion while decreasing the ankle stiffness. An automatic stretching machine can provide long-term continual stretching at home. However, no commercial stretching machines are currently available, and therefore, no safety guidelines exist for them. In this study, we prototyped a stretching machine using a chassis from a commercial foot

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based robots have become popular in various fields, thereby increasing the demand for care robots. Such care robots recognize or estimate factors such as human states and then perform actions depending on the estimation results. If the humans cooperating with robots do not understand robot functions well, the task will not be performed appropriately. Additionally, it is

Measuring and controlling external force from the environment and human beings are essential to realize the future application of the robot systems for medical, nursing, and personal support systems. This paper proposes a friction and noise suppression for force control system based on the integration of the reaction torque observer and force (torque) sensor information. The proposed method performs

The mechanical properties of cells, such as leukocytes, in a diseased state differ from those of healthy cells, typically due to their microstructure. The deformability of the cells through a constrictive area is analyzed by the applied stress to the cell. This study investigates the relationship between the sample flow speed and distribution of captured leukocytes based on the cell deformability using

This paper examines the feasibility of automated alignment in sagittal direction in MR-TRUS fusion biopsy of the prostate by comparing the prostate contour in axial images between different modalities. In the treatment of prostate cancer, an important factor affecting the prognosis of patients is focal therapy of cancer within the prostate. Therefore, MR-TRUS fusion biopsy of the prostate is attracting

Active microfluidics for the applications to cellular deformability measurements is an emerging research field ranging from engineering to medicine. Here, we review conventional and microfluidic methods, and introduce an on-chip cell manipulation system with the design principle of fast and fine cell manipulation inside a microchannel. In the latter part of the review, we focus on the results of red

This paper describes a vacuum suction-type end effector for depalletizing robots in distribution centers. The developed end effector has multiple suction pad units to which a bellows pneumatic actuator is applied as the support mechanism. Load-bearing capacity is improved due to a high-strength wire provided inside the bellows, and the contraction force is improved due to ring members placed inside

One of the main sequelae of stroke is dificulty walking, which is characterized by a decreased gait velocity and asymmetrical walking patterns. The purpose of this research was initially focused on developing a vibro-tactile cueing device that recognizes an implicit increase in cadence frequency. Subsequently, a proof-of-concept study with patients who had experienced stroke was conducted to examine

For future medical microrobotics, we have proposed the concept of the electroosmotic self-propulsive microswimmer powered by biofuel cell. According to the derived theoretical model, its self-propulsion velocity is inversely proportional to the length of the microswimmer, while it is proportional to the open circuit potential generated by the biofuel cell which does not depend on its size. Therefore

A worm gear has the advantages of a large reduction ratio and non-backdrivability. Because of this non-backdrivability, it can maintain a joint angle without energy consumption. Today, many robots have large workspaces that extend into the living spaces of humans, and they are required to work cooperatively with humans. In such cases, backdrivability is necessary to achieve high compliance for robots

Spatial change detection is a fundamental technique for finding the differences between two or more pieces of geometrical information. This technique is critical in some robotic applications, such as search and rescue, security, and surveillance. In these applications, it is desirable to find the differences quickly and robustly. The present paper proposes a fast and robust spatial change detection

To achieve quantitative palpation in vivo, we developed a catheter-type tactile sensor composed of a polyvinylidene fluoride film for minimally invasive surgery. We evaluated the fundamental performance of the prototype sensor by a weight-drop test. We also measured the output of the prototype sensor as it was inserted into a blood vessel model with shapes mimicking lesions. The ø2-mm sensor passed

In supermarkets or grocery, a shopping cart is a necessary tool for shopping. In this paper, we have developed an intelligent shopping support robot that can carry a shopping cart while following its owners and provide the shopping support by observing the customer’s head orientation, body orientation and recognizing different shopping behaviors. Recognizing shopping behavior or the intensity of such

In this paper, toward robotic gait assistance, we investigate the feasibility of a cane-type assistive mobile robot accompanying the user autonomously through a clinical pilot experiment. As widely known, gait ability is important for all people to keep their quality of life. However, for people having weakened lower limbs such as elderly people, their postural sway during walking could be insuppressible

In this study, the novel approach of real-time video stabilization system using a high-frame-rate (HFR) jitter sensing device is demonstrated to realize the computationally efficient technique of digital video stabilization for high-resolution image sequences. This system consists of a high-speed camera to extract and track feature points in gray-level $$512\times 496$$ image sequences at 1000 fps

Slippage occurrence has an important roll in stable and robust object grasping and manipulation. However, in majority of prior research on soft finger manipulation, presence of the slippage between fingers and objects has been ignored. In this paper which is a continuation of our prior work, a revised and more general method for dynamic modeling of planar slippage is presented using the concept of

Brain damage due to stroke often leaves survivors with lateral functional motor deficits. Bimanual rehabilitation of the paretic arm is an active field of research aimed at restoring normal functionality by making use of the complex neural bindings that exist between the arms. In search of an effective rehabilitation method, we introduced a group of post-stroke rehabilitation patients to a set of bimanual

Automation and labor saving in agriculture have been required recently. However, mechanization and robots for growing fruits have not been advanced. This study proposes a method of detecting fruits and automated harvesting using a robot arm. A highly fast and accurate method with a Single Shot MultiBox Detector is used herein to detect the position of fruit, and a stereo camera is used to detect the

This paper presents fabrication and actuation methods for a soft microrobot with a hybrid structure composed of soft microactuators and a rigid supporting body. This hybrid structure enables actuation of the microrobot with independent driving of multiple actuators to provide complex movement like that of living microorganisms. We use the temperature-responsive hydrogel poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)

This study introduces injury risk curves for the lumbar spine for use in the risk assessment of low back pain (LBP) caused by manual lifting of heavy loads. LBP has been a longstanding problem among industrial workers, giving rise to the development of assistive devices. However, quantitative evaluation methods to verify the safety of such devices have not yet been established. The notable biomechanical

Breast cancer diagnosis has been mostly accomplished through imaging. These methods have great advantages in being able to detect the presence and location of breast cancer. However, it is difficult to distinguish between a benign and malignant tumor located in a deep position because both tumor types look similar. In this paper, tissue including the tumor from skin was vibrated using a compression

One of the recommended post-stroke gait rehabilitation treatments is the use of an ankle–foot orthosis. In clinical practice, it is important to adjust the torque of the ankle–foot orthosis assistance to suit each patient’s body function and gait ability. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of changing the plantar flexion resistance of the ankle–foot orthosis on the post-stroke gait kinematics

This paper reports negative effects on runner’s motions which are supported by an exoskeleton attached to his/her lower limbs. A wearable assistive device has generally been developed to support motions of a wearer, while the device may disturb wearer’s motions due to physical features, including expanded his/her body outline and device’s weight. The expanded outline can exert adverse influence that

Recently, wearable extra robotic limbs that aim to enhance the functionality and capability of human operators as extra arms or fingers have become an active research subject among robotics researchers. Improving the operability of the extra robotic limbs is required for the human operators, an approach for which is to induce robotic embodiment. In this paper, we focus on the update of sense of self-location

This paper proposes a navigation system of a personal mobility robot in informationally structured and unstructured environments. First, we introduce a group of robots named Portable Go, which are equipped with laser range finders, gyros, and omni-directional wheels. The Portable Go robots expand the informationally structured environment by deploying in the informationally unstructured environment

A long-reach robotic arm is useful for applications such as nuclear plant decommissioning, inspection, and firefighting. However, for such arms, a small external reaction force can result in large loads on proximal arm actuators because of long moment arms. This problem was previously solved by specialized arm designs that compensate external reaction forces. However, these arm designs are hard to

There has been an increasing interest in mobile manipulators that are capable of performing physical work in living spaces worldwide, corresponding to an aging population with declining birth rates with the expectation of improving quality of life (QoL). We assume that overall research and development will accelerate by using a common robot platform among a lot of researchers since that enables them

In this paper, we present a novel method for caging-based grasping of deformable objects. This method enables manipulators to grasp objects simply with geometric constraints by using position control of robotic hands, and not through force controls or mechanical analysis. Therefore, this method has cost benefits and algorithmic simplicity. In our previous studies, we mainly focused on caging-based

Generation of stable and realistic haptic feedback during mid-air gesture interactions have recently garnered significant research interest. However, the limitations of the sensing technologies such as unstable tracking, range limitations, nonuniform sampling duration, self occlusions, and motion recognition faults significantly distort motion based haptic feedback to a large extent. In this paper

Laparoscopic surgery, which is also called minimally invasive surgery, is a surgical technique that is associated with accelerated post-operative recovery. However, it can only be performed by surgeons possessing advanced surgical skills. One of the main challenges in laparoscopic surgery is the restriction of the free motion of forceps because of the limited degrees of freedom imposed by the trocar

Numerous studies have developed in-pipe locomotive devices to inspect pipes. However, it is difficult to achieve selective locomotion in a branched piping system. In this study, a novel steerable in-pipe locomotive device is proposed based on “a six-braided-tubes locomotive device,” which is an in-pipe locomotive device that is actuated by only six pneumatic inflatable tubes. It is one of the simplest

We present a facial wearable robot to support eyelid movement for patients with hemifacial paralysis. People with facial paralysis are not able to blink, which leads to dry eyes and could cause permanent damage to the cornea. To address this issue, we developed a robotic system to support eyelid movement on the paralyzed side based on voluntary eyelid movement on the healthy side. The robot has a novel