Researchers at UC San Diego developed a new technology using WiFi sensors to help robots navigate indoors, even in poor lighting. The system accuracy rivals commercial camera and LiDAR sensors.
A new nanofiber-based biodegradable millirobot called Fibot can move in the intestines and release different drugs at anchored positions. Fibot's degradation capability is pH-responsive, allowing for controlled drug release.
Researchers have developed microrobot collectives that can move in various formations, reconfiguring their behavior quickly and robustly. The systems use a combination of magnetic forces, fluid dynamics, and computation to achieve coordinated patterns of motion.
A team of engineers and scientists has developed a proof-of-concept for a magnetic tentacle robot that can navigate the narrow tubes of the lung, enabling doctors to take tissue samples or deliver cancer therapy. The device measures just 2 millimeters in diameter and uses an autonomous magnetic guidance system to guide it into place.
Researchers at Imperial College London developed a bendy robotic arm that can twist and turn in all directions, allowing for customizable shapes. The team created an augmented reality system to enhance user-friendliness, enabling users to easily configure the robot using motion tracking cameras and smartglasses.
The study found that robotic-aided pedicle screw placement showed accurate positioning, even for experienced surgeons, with a significant decrease in time required. The technology saved time in the operating room, making it an efficient option for spine surgery.
The robotic white cane system combines depth data with a 2D floor plan map to reduce pose estimation errors. It features a novel 'robotic roller tip' interface that allows for automatic mode-switching, making it easier for visually impaired users to navigate.
A team of researchers has created a new algorithm that determines the most efficient route for robots to navigate complex spaces. The RBF-Galerkin method combines two existing approaches to find the optimal solution, surpassing other methods in terms of cost and time efficiency.
Researchers develop tiny tumbling robots called MANiACs that can climb slopes and move against fluid flow in the body, delivering substances to neural tissue. The study finds these robots have potential for controlled local delivery in neural diseases, offering targeted treatment with improved efficacy and reduced side effects.
Robotic navigation systems, such as Sensei and Niobe, enhance catheter-based procedures by minimizing fluoroscopy times and radiation exposure. These systems have shown promising results in isolating pulmonary vein antra and ablation of atrial arrhythmias.