Articles tagged with Robotics
Scientists have developed a stretchable electronic skin that can detect pressure, location, intensity, and direction. This innovation could be used in prosthetic limbs, robotic skins, and rehabilitation devices.
Researchers at EPFL successfully recreated the ghost illusion in the laboratory by altering sensorimotor brain signals. This phenomenon is common to many cultures and can be observed in people with neurological or psychiatric disorders, such as epilepsy.
Researchers develop robot that induces feeling of 'ghost' presence in healthy participants by sending mixed-up sensorimotor signals. The phenomenon is linked to damage in frontoparietal cortex and may shed light on schizophrenic hallucinations.
A recent study found that robotically assisted coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is a safe and feasible alternative to traditional bypass surgery, reducing complications and hospital stays. The procedure uses robotic precision to perform precise incisions with less blood loss and cosmetic scarring.
A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that robotic-assisted surgery for benign ovarian surgery has more complications and is significantly more expensive than conventional laparoscopic surgery. The median total cost of robot-assisted oophorectomy was $7,426, compared to $4,922 for conventional laparoscopic oophorectomy.
Research by Australian scientists reveals massive galaxies are eating smaller ones to gain weight, but their star-formation process is inefficient. Dr. Aaron Robotham explains that gravity allows larger galaxies to pull in smaller neighbors, and the Milky Way will follow suit, eventually merging with Andromeda.
A new study found that robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) procedures for prostate cancer increased from 0.7% to 42% among US surgeons between 2003 and 2010. RARP adoption was associated with higher volume providers and decreased costs over time.
Researchers developed a technique to semi-automatically align 3-D models with photo geometry, estimating environmental illumination and appearance. This system enables realistic edits by fitting models into the photo's geometry and applying colors, textures, and lighting consistent with the image.
Xinyan Cui is leading a team to develop a biological coating for microelectrode arrays in brain implants, aiming to strengthen the connection between brain and machine. The coating could potentially extend the viability of neural recording by six months and improve the functionality of brain-computer interface technology.
Surgical residents who received anonymous peer feedback through a social networking site improved their robotic surgery skills more than those without feedback. The study found that residents in the intervention arm completed procedures faster and earned better scores.
A nationwide patient survey found that robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is as safe as open surgery for Medicare patients over 65, but with higher costs. The study compared post-operative complications, blood transfusions, and hospital stays between RARP and open surgery.
The book explores the major challenges of wireless sensor and robot networks, including controlled mobility, energy efficiency, and coordination. These challenges affect various applications, such as fleet operations, sensor networks, and fully cooperative systems.
The University of Nevada, Reno is partnering with NevadaNano to develop a robotic flying vehicle that can be used for environmental health and safety monitoring of large areas. The project combines the university's autonomous systems expertise with NevadaNano's unique sensor technology for chemical sensing.
A robotic prosthesis has been developed for an amputee drummer, allowing him to play with unprecedented control and creativity. The device features two drumsticks, one controlled by the musician's arms and the other using electromyography sensors that respond to muscle signals.
A UCLA study published in European Urology found that robotic-assisted prostate surgery resulted in 5% fewer positive margins and a one-third reduction in the likelihood of needing additional cancer therapies. This suggests that robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy may offer better cancer control with potentially lower downstream costs.
Researchers successfully transplanted kidneys into 50 recipients using a robot-assisted procedure that cools the organ with sterile ice during operation. This innovative method reduces post-operative pain and complications compared to traditional open surgery.
Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln discovered a new species of small sea anemones, Edwardsiella andrillae, burrowed into Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf. The anemones have adapted to live upside down in ice, creating a previously unknown ecosystem.
A new study by ETH Zurich researchers shows that robotic therapy outperforms conventional physiotherapy in improving sensory-motor function and arm mobility. Robot-assisted therapy enables patients to carry out exercises independently and motivates them via computer game elements, leading to better results in terms of mobility.
Researchers at NC State University have developed wearable, stretchable sensors using silver nanowires that can measure strain, pressure, human touch, and bioelectronic signals. These sensors hold promise for creating responsive prosthetics and robots that can interact with their environment.
Patients with pre-existing chronic kidney disease who underwent robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for kidney cancer experienced minimal loss of kidney function compared to those with normal kidney function. The procedure also showed no cases of end-stage kidney disease requiring long-term dialysis.
Researchers at Henry Ford's Vattikuti Urology Institute found instances of ureteral injury in 6,442 patients who underwent robotic prostatectomy. Patient characteristics such as infection history, abdominal surgery, and enlarged prostate glands may forewarn such damage.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are working on an MRI-guided robotic heart catheter to accurately navigate and target tissues in the heart. The technology aims to reduce complications associated with current treatments for arterial fibrillation, allowing doctors to more precisely ablate the affected tissue and restore no...
The researchers modified a Baxter robot to learn from humans and make adjustments while an action is in progress. The robot can associate different trajectories with each type of object and generalize its learning.
Researchers propose a new method for robots to capture malfunctioning satellites in space. By mimicking the way animals track and capture prey, the team developed a bio-inspired solution that reduces damage and minimizes disruption to the spacecraft. This technology aims to revolutionize space maintenance and rescue operations.
Gimball's spherical shape and gyroscopic stabilization system enable it to absorb shocks and maintain its course despite numerous collisions. The robot's technology simplicity allows it to operate in challenging terrain, such as forest areas, without the need for complex obstacle avoidance systems.
A three-year program using robotic technology will be implemented in non-technical middle school classes in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The goal is to identify and nurture students with an affinity for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
A Mayo Clinic study of 370 patients found that robotic mitral valve repair surgery had similar total hospital costs to conventional open-chest methods, but patients who underwent robotic repair recovered more rapidly and returned home earlier. The study also showed that systems innovations led to a significant decrease in costs over time.
A new study from Georgia Institute of Technology found that people's preferences for a robot's appearance change depending on its intended use. Older adults tend to prefer human-like robots for social interactions, while younger participants prefer robotic faces for decision-making tasks. The research suggests that the design of an ass...
Researchers in Spain have created a 'Terminator' polymer that spontaneously regenerates itself, displaying impressive 97% healing efficiency. The material could enhance the security and lifetime of plastic components in various industries.
Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital developed a new technique using ice slush and robotic surgery to remove large kidney stones. The ICE procedure provides kidney protection during blood flow stoppage, allowing for complex surgeries. Three patients were successfully treated without complications.
Researchers fitted homing pigeons with GPS loggers to study their navigation. The results showed that satiated pigeons flew directly to their home loft, while hungry pigeons flew to a nearby food loft, indicating they have a type of cognitive navigational map in their heads
Researchers found that chlorinated BPA and modified forms of the chemical produced similar but distinct effects on hormone signaling pathways. The modified BPA worked through membrane estrogen receptors to deactivate key signaling enzymes, potentially leading to cell signaling disruptions.
Biologists discovered that female túngara frogs can be tricked into perceiving an unattractive call as attractive when a robotic frog adds a delayed visual cue. This study demonstrates how evolution may create complex traits by combining simpler ones, similar to how adding white noise improves human perception of sounds.
Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital have successfully integrated robotic ultrasound into kidney cancer surgery, providing direct control for the surgeon. This technology has been shown to reduce the need for assistant guidance and improve precision in measuring tumors from certain angles.
Use of advanced treatment technologies like IMRT and robotic prostatectomy has increased among men with low-risk disease, despite clinical guidelines recommending local treatment for those with a low life expectancy. The authors suggest that aggressive direct-to-consumer marketing and incentives may promote the use of these treatments.
Researchers have demonstrated that brain-computer interfaces can learn as users practice simple motor skills like waving a hand. After just 10 minutes of practice, the brain's activity transitions from learning to automatic actions, indicating successful learning.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have created a noninvasive brain-computer interface that allows people to control a flying robot using only their thoughts. The technology has the potential to help people with disabilities, such as paralysis or neurodegenerative diseases, regain mobility and independence.
Obese patients who received robotic kidney transplants had significantly fewer wound complications than those receiving traditional open surgery. This minimally invasive procedure provides a better quality of life for high-risk patients often bypassed for transplantation.
A study found that robot-assisted partial nephrectomy is a safe operation with superior results compared to open and laparoscopic surgery. However, it also involves more excessive hospital charges, despite no cost-savings.
Researchers found that people respond strongly to the voice of smart objects, even if they're not human-like. The study suggests that speech is a social cue that can make objects more social and acceptable.
A Texas physician has successfully performed a groundbreaking robotic laparoscopic procedure to tighten a pregnant patient's incompetent cervix. The innovative technique, which utilizes the da Vinci Si robotic surgical system, allowed for precise stitching with minimal scars.
A recent study reveals that the deepest oceanic trench holds a surprisingly high concentration of bacteria in its sediment, up to 10 times more than surrounding abyssal plains. This discovery highlights the critical role microorganisms play in regulating the global carbon cycle and climate regulation.
A new project called Wordovators will study how people create, learn and use new words through mathematical modeling and large-scale computer games. Players from around the world will be recruited to perform tasks and challenges in invented languages.
A camera embedded in a rubber-sheathed plastic foam football can record video while in flight, providing a unique ball's-eye view of the field. The researchers developed a computer algorithm that converts raw video into a stable, wide-angle view.
The use of robotically-assisted hysterectomy for benign gynecologic disorders increased substantially between 2007 and 2010, accounting for 9.5% of procedures in 2010. However, the procedure offered little short-term benefit and was accompanied by significantly greater costs compared to laparoscopic hysterectomy.
Researchers from TUM designed a smart wall panel to assist elderly people in their homes. The panel provides access to vital information, entertainment, and assistance with daily tasks. It also detects critical health issues and contacts healthcare professionals for support.
Researchers at Pitt/UPMC successfully used brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to enable a paralyzed man to control a computer cursor and robot arm with his thoughts. The study, published in PLoS ONE, demonstrates the potential for BCI technology to help individuals regain independence after spinal cord injuries.
The Human Brain Project seeks to integrate fragmented knowledge of the human brain through supercomputer-based models. Researchers will test conceptual models using simulated and real systems, aiming to refine models and develop new technologies.
NASA's Robotic Refueling Mission aims to demonstrate robotic refueling in space, which could add years of functional life to satellites and expand options for operators. The mission will employ the Canadian-built Dextre robot and NASA's RRM module to simulate robotic refueling, with a focus on improving satellite servicing capabilities.
A new UTMB study reveals that high school and college students who play video games regularly outperform medical residents in surgical simulations. The study suggests that these skills may be transferable to real-world robotic surgeries, requiring a reevaluation of surgical training methods.
Using cutting-edge virtual reality technology, researchers have successfully beamed a person into a rat facility, allowing the rat and human to interact on the same scale. The technology enables real-time interaction between humans and animals, providing new insights into animal behavior.
Researchers used a robot named Nexi to test how people assess trustworthiness in others. They found that sets of non-verbal cues, not just one cue, determine a person's trustworthiness. Participants exposed to untrustworthy cues with Nexi adjusted their financial decisions accordingly.
MIT's Robust Robotics Group has developed an algorithm that enables autonomous-control algorithms for indoor flight of GPS-denied airplanes, allowing for obstacle dodging and cargo capacity. The plane uses a laser rangefinder and inertial sensors to determine its state in real-time, and combines two different types of state-estimation ...
A new tool enables anyone to easily access 13 years of NASA Landsat images, allowing for seamless zooming and time-travel exploration. The enhanced access facilitates discoveries on deforestation, climate change, and environmental policy.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine presented data on transoral robotic surgery outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer. The study found significant benefits in progression-free and overall survival rates for both smokers and nonsmokers, suggesting a promising treatment modality.
Two projects investigating the use of robot submarines to map and monitor the UK seas have received £720,000 in funding. The projects aim to inform future government policy on protecting the marine environment by generating data that will guide the use of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and sea gliders.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute have developed a smart headlight system that reduces glare caused by rain and snow. The system uses a camera to track raindrops and adjusts the light projection accordingly, eliminating 70-80% of visible rain during heavy storms.
Researchers have developed a robotic set of legs that models human walking in a biologically accurate manner, allowing for insights into the processes underlying walking in humans. The robot's neural architecture and sensory feedback pathways mimic those found in humans, enabling it to walk without balance.
Researchers discovered that lizards swing their tails to rotate their bodies while falling, and replicated this motion in a robot. The study could help engineers design more stable robots for complex environments.
Shimi, a musical robot companion developed by Georgia Tech's Center for Music Technology, uses listener feedback to recommend songs and dances in sync with the beat. The smartphone-enabled robot has various interactive capabilities, including face detection and rhythm analysis.