|
UPDATES
In
Business...
Our laboratory now offers Rapid Prototyping Services,
and clients can order online through the new website.
Click
here |
|
|
In Research...
Not just another fish story, fresh ideas from the lab: CALibot, the most naturally swimming robotic fish ever built. Click here |
|
|
|
|
ABOUT
US
 Our research
activities are focused on the design and control of a
class of robotic systems worn or operated by humans to
augment human mechanical strength, while the wearer's
intellect remains the central control system for manipulating
the robot. Human power extenders can be used to maneuver
heavy loads with great dexterity, speed, and precision,
in factories, shipyards, airports, construction sites,
and warehouses.
The design and
control of human power extenders are different from the
design and control of conventional robots because they
interface with the human on a physical level. The human
transfers his/her commands to the extender via the contact
forces between the human and the extender, eliminating
the need for a joystick, pushbutton, or keyboard to transfer
such commands. In this unique configuration, the human
body, in physical contact with the extender, exchanges
both power and information signals with the extender.
Because of this unique interface, the human becomes an
integral part of the robot and "feels" the load
that the power extender is carrying. The hypothesis is
that these machines when worn by workers to maneuver loads,
prevent back injuries in workers. When the worker uses
the extender to touch and manipulate a load, the extender
transfers to her/his arm, as natural feedback, a scaled-down
value of the actual load weight which the extender is
manipulating: the human "feels" the load weight
in the manipulations. In this way, the extender prevents
back injuries to workers maneuvering loads.
Our research
work on fundamentals of human power augmentation has resulted
in a wealth of knowledge and experience in various robotic
disciplines such as force control, impedance control,
sensors, locomotion, compact transmission systems, advanced
haptic devices, DSP embedded controllers, biomemtic systems,
humanoid robots, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electric actuators.
|
|
|
|
