Development of High-Performance Soft Robotic Fish by Numerical Coupling Analysis.

To design a soft robotic fish with high performance by a biomimetic method, we are developing a soft robotic fish using piezoelectric fiber composite (PFC) as a flexible actuator. Compared with the conventional rigid robotic fish, the design and control of a soft robotic fish are difficult due to large deformation of flexible structure and complicated coupling dynamics with fluid. That is why the design and control method of soft robotic fish have not been established and they motivate us to make a further study by considering the interaction between flexible structure and surrounding fluid.

Development of a Sensor Network System with High Sampling Rate Based on Highly Accurate Simultaneous Synchronization of Clock and Data Acquisition and Experimental Verification .

In this paper, we develop a new sensor network system with a high sampling rate (over 500 Hz) based on the simultaneous synchronization of clock and data acquisition for integrating the data obtained from various sensors. Hence, we also propose a method for the synchronization of clock and data acquisition in the sensor network system. In the proposed scheme, multiple sensor nodes including PCs are connected via Ethernet for data communication and for clock synchronization.

A gait support system for human locomotion without restriction of the lower extremities: preliminary mechanism and control design.

A motion support system is important for improving the quality of life for people with inadequate muscle power for walking or standing. Such a system must maintain coordination between the movement of the living body and that of the motion support system with respect to timing and power. We have developed a preliminary assistance device for human locomotion that does not restrict movement of the user's lower extremities.