To address the problems relating to the low efficiency and high labor intensity of manual operation in transplanting potted flower plug seedlings, an automatic bowl-clamping-type transplanting mechanism with a planetary gear train based on incomplete non-circular gear transmission is proposed.The design of the mechanism combines forward parameter modification (guiding optimization design) and reverse design, providing a reference for solving practical problems in flower seedling transplanting.

Soft continuum manipulators show great promise in minimal invasive surgery (MIS) due to their excellent adaptability and contact safety. In our recent work,  a novel braided manipulator based on fibrous materials is developed which features a thin-walled structure and a linear actuation response, enhancing its suitability for surgical environments. This paper studies effects of design parameters on its kinematical behaviors, which can provide a foundation for an optimized skeleton design.