University of California

University of Southern California

University of Washington

Veronica J Santos

Gerald E Loeb

Nicholas Wettels

Raymond Peck

Jonathan Posner

Jeremy Fishel

Randall Blake Hellman

Djordje Popovic

Roland S Johansson

Chia Hsien (Gary) Lin

Jianzhu Yin

Ruben Ponce Wong

An example sensor device is provided. The sensor device includes (a) a substrate having a first end and a second end, wherein the substrate includes a contact portion, a first sensor portion positioned between the first end of the substrate and the contact portion, and a second sensor portion positioned between the second end of the substrate and the contact portion, (b) a first strain gauge sensor positioned at the first sensor portion, and (c) a second strain gauge sensor positioned at the second sensor portion, wherein the first end of the substrate and the second end of the substrate are configured to be coupled to a rigid curved surface, and wherein the sensor device is configured such that a force applied to the contact portion of the substrate will be sensed by each of the first strain gauge sensor and the second strain gauge sensor.

Soft shear force resistive sensor embedded in artificial skin

Systems and methods for an actuation system including a plurality of single actuation units for modular control of a tendon-driven robotic mechanism are disclosed.

Systems and methods for tendon-driven robotic mechanisms

Systems for providing electro-mechanical sensors are provided. In some embodiments, a system for providing an electro-mechanical sensor comprising: a flexible material forming at least a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel includes a first plate region and the second channel forms a second plate region that is substantially aligned with the first plate region; and an electrically conductive fluid that fills the first channel and the second channel.

Systems for providing electro-mechanical sensors

Tactile sensors are disclosed that mimic the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. The deformable properties of the finger pad can be used as part of a transduction process. Multiple electrodes can be mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies are described for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control. Controlling grip force in a prosthetic having sensory feedback information is described. Techniques are described for enhancing the useful force range for impedance sensors by internally texturing the elastomeric skin.

Enhancements to improve the function of a biomimetic tactile sensor

Tactile sensors are disclosed that mimic the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. The deformable properties of the finger pad can be used as part of a transduction process. Multiple electrodes can be mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies are described for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control. Controlling grip force in a prosthetic having sensory feedback information is described. Pressure transducers can provide sensory feedback by measuring micro-vibrations due to sliding friction.

Measurement of sliding friction-induced vibrations for biomimetic tactile sensing

Disclosed is a robust tactile sensor array that mimics the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. It uses the deformable properties of the finger pad as part of the transduction process. Multiple electrodes are mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control.

Growing community of inventors

Tempe, AZ, United States of America

Veronica J Santos