(EN)When a wearer (12) wears a behavior help wear (18), calibration control means (162) of a behavior help device (10) applies a drive force from a drive source (140) as a load (input torque) to the wearer (12) by load generation means (164). The wearer (12) to whom the drive force from the drive source (140) is given performs a predetermined calibration operation and generates a force from his/her skeletal muscles. The muscle potential signal accompanying the calibration operation is detected by biometric signal detection means (144). Parameter correction means (156) corrects a parameter (K) according to the difference between the load (input torque) and the muscular force corresponding to the muscle potential signal, thereby correcting the help power in accordance with the biometric signal detection sensitivity so as to reduce the load on the wearer.
(FR)Lorsqu’un porteur (12) porte un système d’aide au comportement (18), la méthode de contrôle du calibrage (162) d’un dispositif d’aide du comportement (10) applique une force directrice depuis une source directrice (140) sous forme de charge (couple d’entrée) sur le porteur (12) par une méthode de génération de charge (164). Le porteur (12) qui reçoit la force directrice de la source directrice (140) procède à une opération de calibrage prédéterminée et génère une force à partir de ses muscles squelettiques. Le signal du potentiel de muscle accompagnant l’opération de calibrage est détecté par une méthode de détection du signal biométrique (144). La méthode de correction des paramètres (156) corrige un paramètre (K) en fonction de la différence entre la charge (couple d’entrée) et la force musculaire correspondant au signal de potentiel du muscle, corrigeant ainsi la puissance d’aide conformément à la sensibilité de détection du signal biométrique de manière à réduire la charge sur le porteur.

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The present invention relates to electroactive polymers that are pre-strained to improve conversion from electrical to mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting a pre-strained polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be used to do mechanical work. The pre-strain improves the mechanical response of an electroactive polymer. The present invention also relates to actuators including an electroactive polymer and mechanical coupling to convert deflection of the polymer into mechanical work. The present invention further relates to compliant electrodes that conform to the shape of a polymer. The present invention provides methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers.

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Active-response golf shoes are disclosed. The golf shoes include at least one sensor, a controller, and at least one active-response element. The sensor and controller operate to rapidly determine if a golfer is walking or swinging a golf club. Once this determination is made the controller and active-response element rapidly change the shoe’s characteristics. If the controller determines that the golfer is walking, the shoe provides a soft and flexible walking platform. If the controller determines that the golfer is swinging, the shoe morphs or changes automatically to provide a stable hitting platform. The controller senses various predetermined conditions such as pressure under the ball of the user’s foot to determine whether the golfer is walking or swinging. The active-response elements may be a sole adjuster, a lace adjuster, and/or an upper adjuster. Methods of determining the golfer’s type of movement are also disclosed.

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The object detection apparatus according to the invention detects an object based on input images that are captured sequentially in time in a moving unit. The apparatus generates an action command to be sent to the moving unit, calculates flow information for each local area in the input image, and estimates an action of the moving unit based on the flow information. The apparatus calculates a difference between the estimated action and the action command and then determines a specific local area as a figure area when such difference in association with that specific local area exhibits an error larger than a predetermined value. The apparatus determines presence/absence of an object in the figure area.

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A method for obtaining an assist torque to be applied to a human joint, in a human assist system for applying an assist torque to the human joint to reduce load of muscles, and the human assist system are provided. The method comprises the step of obtaining a moment due to gravity, acting on a joint of each human segment, based on equations of force and moment balance on each segment. The method further comprises the step of obtaining an assist torque to be applied to the joint to compensate for the moment due to gravity, acting on the joint. The human assist system comprises a motor for delivering an assist torque to a joint and a motor driver for driving control of the motor. The system further comprises a controller for determining a desired value of an assist torque, comprising a processor and a memory. The controller is configured to obtain a moment due to gravity, acting on a joint of each human segment, based on equations of force and moment balance on each segment and then to obtain an assist torque to be delivered to the joint to compensate for the moment due to gravitational acceleration at the joint. The method provides a natural subdivision between the voluntary actuators which are responsible for forward progression of motion and the assist actuators which are responsible for preserving static equilibrium. This subdivision may mitigate the interference between voluntary control and artificial control.

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