Soft body robot for physical interaction with humans
First Claim
1. A robot for human interaction, comprising:
- a robot controller including a joint control module;
a link comprising a rigid support element and a body segment coupled to the rigid support element, wherein the body segment includes an outer sidewall enclosing an interior space;
a pressure sensor sensing pressure in the interior space of the link; and
a joint coupled to the rigid support element,wherein the robot controller operates the joint based on the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor,wherein the interior space is filled with a fluid,wherein the pressure is a pressure of the fluid in the interior space, andwherein the robot controller operates the joint based on the pressure when the pressure exceeds a predefined threshold pressure value or when a change greater than a predefined pressure change is identified by the controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A robot designed for reducing collision impacts during human interaction. The robot includes a robot controller including a joint control module. The robot includes a link including a rigid support element and a soft body segment coupled to the rigid support element, and the body segment includes a deformable outer sidewall enclosing an interior space. The robot includes a pressure sensor sensing pressure in the interior space of the link. A joint is coupled to the rigid support element to rotate or position the link. During operations, the robot controller operates the joint based on the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor. The robot controller modifies operation of the joint from a first operating state with a servo moving or positioning the joint to a second operating state with the servo operating to allow the joint to be moved or positioned in response to outside forces applied to the link.
33 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A robot for human interaction, comprising:
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a robot controller including a joint control module; a link comprising a rigid support element and a body segment coupled to the rigid support element, wherein the body segment includes an outer sidewall enclosing an interior space; a pressure sensor sensing pressure in the interior space of the link; and a joint coupled to the rigid support element, wherein the robot controller operates the joint based on the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor, wherein the interior space is filled with a fluid, wherein the pressure is a pressure of the fluid in the interior space, and wherein the robot controller operates the joint based on the pressure when the pressure exceeds a predefined threshold pressure value or when a change greater than a predefined pressure change is identified by the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A robot for human interaction, comprising:
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a robot controller including a joint control module; a link comprising a rigid support element and a body segment coupled to the rigid support element, wherein the body segment includes an outer sidewall enclosing an interior space; a pressure sensor sensing pressure in the interior space of the link; and a joint coupled to the rigid support element, wherein the robot controller operates the joint based on the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor, wherein the link is fabricated as a single unit, and wherein the rigid support element includes a connector for the pressure sensor providing a passageway to the interior space.
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9. A robot for human interaction, comprising:
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a robot controller including a joint control module; a link comprising a rigid support element and a body segment coupled to the rigid support element, wherein the body segment includes an outer sidewall enclosing an interior space; a pressure sensor sensing pressure in the interior space of the link; and a joint coupled to the rigid support element, wherein the robot controller operates the joint based on the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor, and wherein the joint includes one of a thrust bearing and a friction bearing fabricated as a single unit. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A robot, comprising:
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a plurality of body segments; and a set of servo-driven joints interconnecting the body segments, wherein one or more of the body segments includes a fluid-filled void enclosed by a sidewall, wherein the sidewall comprises a membrane of a flexible material, and wherein each of the body segments further comprises a rigid support element coupled to an edge of the sidewall and coupled to one of the servo-driven joints; and a pressure sensor in communication with the fluid-filled void of each of the body segments operating to sense a pressure in each of the body segments, a controller comparing the pressure in each of the body segments with a predefined threshold value or measuring a change in pressure in the body segments based on the pressure and based on the comparing or the measuring, modifying operations of at least one of the servo-driven joints. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of controlling operation of a robot, comprising:
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first transmitting a control signal to operate a joint upstream of a link in a first operating state, wherein the link includes a rigid support element coupled to the joint and a cavity enclosed by a sidewall affixed to the rigid support element; measuring a pressure of a fluid in the cavity; based on the measured pressure, determining when a contact force is being applied to the sidewall; and when the contact force is determined, second transmitting a control signal to operate the joint upstream of the link in a second operating state differing from the first operating state, wherein the second operating state comprises powering off an actuator or servo in the joint. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification