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This paper reports the development of a new jack robot. The jack robot consists of two crawler vehicles connected by 3-DOF joint mechanism which is capable of posture change, constructing a thin structure to enable it to enter narrow space, as well as high mobility in disaster sites and adaptability to irregular terrain. An electric jack mechanism and a multi-DOF manipulator are equipped in the front segment of the jack robot to accomplish jack-up operations. Adopted multiple layers screw sleeves structure, the jack mechanism can spread to the place which is almost six times the height of its own, making it possible to lift a gap up from 70 mm to 400 mm under 300 kg load driven by DC motor. With the help of the multi-DOF manipulator, precise operations to the jack mechanism can be realized. Experimental results of driving test and jack-up test validate the capability of the multi-linked tracked jack robot.

This paper presents a novel exoskeleton hand system for measuring extravehicular activity spacesuit glove (EVA glove) joint's mechanical characteristics. For adapting to variety sizes of gloves, the proximal phalanx of exoskeleton finger can be adjusted through an additional four-bar transmission mechanism. The exoskeleton hand can apply forces that actuate both flexion and extension of EVA glove. Based on its special mechanical structure, a mathematic model of flexible EVA glove joint has been built.