Hyper-redundant manipulators

Abstract

A hyper-redundant manipulator for insertion into an area of interest through an aperture is shown. The hyper-redundant manipulator comprises a plurality of individually-lockable sections, each of which comprise a plurality of segments having positions that are adjustable relative to each other so as to adopt a pose. A respective locking mechanism is located in each section and is configured to switch between a locked condition in which the pose of the segments in the respective section is locked, and an unlocked condition in which the pose of the segments in the respective section is not locked. A plurality of actuators common to all of the sections are provided to adjust the pose of the segments in sections with a locking mechanism in an unlocked condition.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.