Switching Control of Latex Balloon Expansion by using Switching Valve mediated with the Coanda Effect

Soft robots have advantages in terms of safety, softness, and compliance compared to traditional robotic systems. However, fluid-driven soft actuators, often employed in soft robots, require a corresponding number of bulky pressure supplies/valves to drive. Here, we consider a valve that can control the flow without mechanical moving parts for simplifying the driving system of soft actuators. We developed a system comprising a pump, a switching valve, and two latex balloons to demonstrate the feasibility of introducing a fluid valve into soft robotics. As the valve, which makes use of the Coanda effect, can switch the flow between two outlets when the pressure difference between the outlets is 3 kPa, we employed a latex balloon connected to each outlet. The system can control the expansion of each balloon by switching the flow from the pump. The experimental results proved that the system could actuate each balloon.

New human-computer interaction regulations for ship safe driving based on multi-mode data interconnection

Based on the analysis of the multi-mode data of ship mechatronics and the new human-computer interaction regulations for safety driving, a new safety driving regulation based on multi-mode data is put forward. The new regulations for ship safe driving use mechanical and electrical data to form small-world data interconnection. Artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction operation information are used to integrate and communicate, and human-computer interaction data are incorporated to standardize driving behavior to integrate historical driving data, and finally, the standardized automatic self-driving is formed. The new human-computer interaction regulations formed by the safe driving system make it possible to solve and optimize the ship safe driving mode.

Direct measurement of electron Bernstein waves in Low Aspect ratio Torus Experiment

By using a newly developed five-pin probe antenna and two-dimensional mechanical probe driving system, the 2-D wave pattern of phase and amplitude has been directly measured in Low Aspect ratio Torus Experiment (LATE), for an overdense ECR plasma with microwave obliquely injected. In the case of O-mode injection, an EBW-like wave pattern has been detected for the first time, in a localized region near the upper hybrid resonance layer. The pattern has a short wavelength of about 2 mm and is also electrostatic and backward. In the case of X-mode injection, the 2-D wave pattern is quite different and no EBW signal can be observed. By adjusting the toroidal magnetic field in O-mode injection, it is found that both the position and size of the EBW region have changed, which suggest the localized condition of efficient O-X-B conversion and high collisional damping rate of EBWs in these experiments.

Configuration Design and Motion Performance Analysis of a New Wheeled Rolling Robot

A new wheeled rolling robot is designed based on planar 3-RRR parallel mechanism and spoke wheel with variable diameter, by adjusting the 3-DOF outputs of the planar 3-RRR parallel mechanism, the deformation and rolling motion of the rolling robot are realized, the rotation output of the parallel mechanism realizes the differential change of the diameter of the two supporting wheels of the rolling robot, and the moving output of the parallel mechanism changes the mass distribution of the system, so that the rolling robot can complete the forward, backward, turning and other motions. Based on the introduction of the performance parameters, driving system, variable diameter wheel configuration and motion mechanism of the rolling robot, the eccentric driving torque is analysis and the existing space of the eccentric torque is given, so as to further complete the selection of the driving motor of the robot. This article analysis three typical motions of robots and its performance parameters, such as straight movement, turn movement, climbing exercise, and builds a simple prototype under laboratory conditions to verify the feasibility of the three movements.

Unsettled Issues in Remote Operation for On-road Driving Automation

On-road vehicles equipped with driving automation features—where a human might not be needed for operation on-board—are entering the mainstream public space. However, questions like “How safe is safe enough?” and “What to do if the system fails?” persist. This is where remote operation comes in, which is an additional layer to the automated driving system where a human remotely assists the so-called “driverless” vehicle in certain situations. Such remote-operation solutions introduce additional challenges and potential risks as the entire vehicle-network-human now needs to work together safely, effectively, and practically. Unsettled Issues in Remote Operation for On-road Driving Automation highlights technical questions (e.g., network latency, bandwidth, cyber security) and human aspects (e.g., workload, attentiveness, situational awareness) of remote operation and introduces evolving solutions. The report also discusses standards development and regulations—both of which are needed to provide frameworks for the deployment of driving automation with remote operation.