Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Torque Free Motion

Torque Free Motion

The torque-free motion refers to the movement of a rigid body in space when no external torques are acting upon it. This type of motion can be observed in environments where there are no external forces or frictions, like in outer space. For example, a rotation of Mars in space is a torque-free motion. Mars is an axisymmetric object, meaning it has an axis of symmetry along which it rotates, designated as the z-axis. The rotating frame of reference is defined such that the center of mass of...

One-Degree-of-Freedom System

One-Degree-of-Freedom System

In mechanical engineering, one-degree-of-freedom systems form the basis of a wide range of electrical and mechanical components. Using these models, engineers can predict the behavior of various parts in a larger system, which gives them insight into how different forces interact with each other.
A one-degree-of-freedom system is defined by an independent variable that determines its state and behavior. One example of a one-degree-of-freedom system is a simple harmonic oscillator, such as a...

Open and closed-loop control systems

Open and closed-loop control systems

Control systems are foundational elements in automation and engineering. They are broadly categorized into open-loop and closed-loop systems. These classifications hinge on the presence or absence of feedback mechanisms, significantly influencing the system's performance, complexity, and application.
An open-loop control system operates without feedback from the output. It consists of two primary elements: the controller and the controlled process. The controller receives an input signal and...

Angle of Twist: Problem Solving

Angle of Twist: Problem Solving

An electric motor applies a torque of 700 N·m to an aluminum shaft, triggering a stable rotation. Two pulleys, B and C, are subjected to torques of 300 N·m and 400 N·m, respectively. The modulus of rigidity is provided as 25 GPa. With the knowledge of the length and diameter of each segment, the twist angle between the two pulleys can be computed. First, a section cut is made between pulleys B and C, and the cut cross-section is analyzed using a free-body diagram. Given that the torque exerted...

Simplification of a Force and Couple System: II

Simplification of a Force and Couple System: II

In a three-dimensional system, multiple forces can act on an object. These forces can be combined into a single equivalent force, known as the resultant force. Similarly, the moments generated by these forces can be combined into a single equivalent moment, the resultant couple moment. In certain situations, these two entities may not be mutually perpendicular, meaning they do not have a 90-degree angle between them. This unique condition requires a deeper understanding of the interplay between...

Mechanical Systems

Mechanical Systems

Mechanical systems are analogous to to electrical networks where springs and masses play similar roles to inductors and capacitors, respectively. A viscous damper in mechanical systems functions similarly to a resistor in electrical networks, dissipating energy. The forces acting on a mass in such systems include an applied force in the direction of motion, counteracted by forces from the spring, a viscous damper, and the mass's acceleration. This interplay of forces is mathematically described...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The Simons Collaboration on Ecological Neuroscience: Studying how the brain interacts with the world.

Neuron·2026

Same author

The organization of multiple motor memories.

Current opinion in neurobiology·2026

Same author

Task-relevant haptic feedback improves asymptotic performance in de novo arm control acquisition.

Scientific reports·2026

Same author

Adaptive integration of model-based and model-free strategies in human reinforcement learning of reachable space.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Investigating age-related decline in sensorimotor control using robotic tasks.

Frontiers in aging neuroscience·2026

Same author

Curriculum effects in multitask learning through the lens of contextual inference.

Current opinion in neurobiology·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Design and Implementation of a Bespoke Robotic Manipulator for Extra-corporeal Ultrasound

Design and Implementation of a Bespoke Robotic Manipulator for Extra-corporeal Ultrasound

Published on: January 7, 2019

A modular planar robotic manipulandum with end-point torque control.

Ian S Howard¹, James N Ingram, Daniel M Wolpert

¹Computational and Biological Learning Laboratory, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB21PZ, UK. ish22@cam.ac.uk

Journal of Neuroscience Methods

|May 20, 2009

Summary

Researchers developed a versatile robotic system (vBOT) for studying human motor control, including novel variants for dynamic learning, stiffness, and object manipulation tasks. This system enhances motor control research by simulating object properties and tool use through precise force and torque application.

More Related Videos

Design and Fabrication of an Elastomeric Unit for Soft Modular Robots in Minimally Invasive Surgery

Design and Fabrication of an Elastomeric Unit for Soft Modular Robots in Minimally Invasive Surgery

Published on: November 14, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Design and Implementation of a Bespoke Robotic Manipulator for Extra-corporeal Ultrasound

Design and Implementation of a Bespoke Robotic Manipulator for Extra-corporeal Ultrasound

Published on: January 7, 2019

Design and Fabrication of an Elastomeric Unit for Soft Modular Robots in Minimally Invasive Surgery

Design and Fabrication of an Elastomeric Unit for Soft Modular Robots in Minimally Invasive Surgery

Published on: November 14, 2015

Area of Science:

Robotics
Neuroscience
Biomechanics
Human Motor Control

Background:

Robotic manipulanda are crucial for studying human arm motor control, enabling force application based on arm state.
Existing designs often focus on motor learning or stiffness, with limited end-point torque control for object simulation and tool use studies.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce a modular, general-purpose two-dimensional planar manipulandum (vBOT) optimized for dynamic learning paradigms.
To present variants (WristBOT and StiffBOT) addressing limitations in torque control and stiffness studies.
To evaluate the performance of the vBOT system and its variants.

Main Methods:

Development of a modular, two-dimensional planar manipulandum (vBOT) with a carbon fibre arm and timing pulley system.
Introduction of WristBOT with a cable drive for torque application and StiffBOT with a rigid arm for stiffness studies.
Performance evaluation of vBOT variants for effective end-point mass, viscosity, and stiffness.

Main Results:

The vBOT design minimizes intrinsic dynamics without active compensation.
WristBOT enables torque application for object manipulation, and StiffBOT is suitable for stiffness studies.
Subjects demonstrated perception of object orientation via haptic feedback from rotational dynamics using WristBOT.

Conclusions:

The vBOT system and its variants offer a versatile platform for diverse motor control research, including dynamic learning, stiffness, and object interaction.
The WristBOT variant successfully facilitates object manipulation tasks, highlighting the importance of haptic feedback in perceiving object properties.
This robotic system advances the investigation of neural control mechanisms, biomechanics, and human interaction with virtual or real objects.