In this paper, a new 6-DOF parallel haptic master device is proposed. Many existing haptic devices require large power due to having floating actuator and also have small workspaces. The proposed new mechanism is relatively light, as it employs nonfloating actuators and has large workspace. Kinematic analysis and kinematic optimal design problem is performed for this mechanism. Dexterous workspace, global isotropic index, and global maximum force transmission ratio are considered as kinematic design indices. To deal with such multicriteria optimization problem, composite design index is employed. Actuator sizing for this mechanism is also carried out.

We investigate the feedforward modulation methodology of the dynamic behaviour of anthropomorphic systems which inherently possess abundant actuators. For the complete modulation of the dynamic behaviour of such systems, redundant actuation is essential since it enables the system to modulate the stiffness property or weighted stiffness property such as motion frequency, and even in the modulation of the damping ratio of the system, the stiffness property plays an important role. We also address that incorporation of active damper is necessary for complete modulation of the dynamic behaviour. The feasibility of our proposed scheme is verified through simulation for a two degree-of-freedom anthropomorphic robot resembling the human upper-extremity.

In order to develop a human hand mechanism, a 5-bar finger with redundant actuation is suggested. Optimal sets of actuator locations and link lengths for the cases of minimum actuator, one, two and three redundant actuators are obtained by employing composite design index which simultaneously consider several performance indices such as workspace, isotropic index, and force transmission ratio. Finally, several finger-configurations optimized for special performance indices are illustrated.