Articles tagged with Robotics
University of Utah engineers created a computer-controlled hand and arm support to aid precision tasks with less fatigue. The Active Handrest allows users to maintain control while sensing tool position or force, increasing precision in tasks like surgery, painting, and electronics repair.
A new study shows that robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) does not compromise surgical outcomes for patients with prostate cancer. Surgeons can use visual cues to improve clinical outcomes, including the color of tissue, vein locations, and signs of inflammation.
University of Florida urologists have developed a robot-assisted vasectomy reversal procedure that cuts average surgery time by 20 minutes, comparable to traditional microscope methods. The robotic procedure also shows quicker return of sperm count and improved efficiency.
A French team has developed a computerized 3D model that predicts the movement of the heart as it beats, allowing robotic tools to move in concert with each beat. This innovation could enable less invasive surgical procedures with high precision and reduce complications.
Researchers at MIT have created a simple robot that can dig into mudflats at a rate of 1 cm per second, inspired by the burrowing mechanisms of Atlantic razor clams. The robotic clam is small, lightweight, and energy-efficient, making it suitable for underwater applications.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have found that robotic sacrocolpopexy surgery dramatically reduces patient hospital stay and recovery time. The procedure also shows fewer postoperative complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster postoperative recovery compared to traditional abdominal sacrocolpopexy.
A study at Georgia Tech found that older adults have difficulty recognizing emotions on robots, particularly happiness and disgust. Despite this, they excel at reading sadness. The researchers suggest that the robot's facial features may not be exaggerated enough to overcome age-related recognition challenges.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a $360,000 grant to establish a Robotics Crystallization Core Facility on the University of Oklahoma's Norman campus. The grant will provide sophisticated robotics equipment to support collaborative efforts among structural biologists in the state.
A study found that minimally invasive radical prostatectomy with robotic assistance may shorten hospital stays and decrease surgical complications, but increase genitourinary complications. Men of higher socioeconomic status opted for this high-technology alternative despite limited data demonstrating superiority.
Researchers at Penn State have found that machines are unable to recognize distorted images like humans can. This limitation may be overcome in the future as computer programs harness large volumes of online data for knowledge generation and automatic recognition.
Researchers at North Carolina State University are developing robotic bats that mimic nature's small flyers for increased maneuverability and performance. The 'robo-bat' uses smart materials, including shape-memory metal alloys and heat-activated muscle wires, to achieve efficient flapping motion.
The International Journal of Robotics Research is launching a new genre of research paper called 'data papers,' which will facilitate the release of high-quality, peer-reviewed datasets to the robotics community. The launch also includes revamped multimedia services with improved access and quality for supplementary data.
Patients undergoing robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy experience improved outcomes, with faster recovery times and lower blood loss. This minimally invasive approach enables earlier return to normal activity, reducing the delay in treatment for patients with kidney cancer.
A study at UCLA used preoperative MRI to evaluate neurovascular bundles in patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). The results showed that preoperative MR assisted surgeons in making more informed decisions about nerve sparing techniques, with less likelihood of causing impotence.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) allows inexperienced surgeons to learn and perform suturing more efficiently than traditional methods. The study showed RALS resulted in shorter procedural times and improved outcomes compared to freehand laparos...
Ross Finman, a junior in electrical and computer engineering, has won the $10,000 National Space Club Award for pursuing studies in science or engineering. The award recognizes his hard work and dedication to advancing scientific knowledge through space research and exploration.
Researchers used a hand-operated robotic device and fMRI to track brain function after strokes, finding that the brain can regain function through rehabilitative exercises even six months post-stroke. The study, which tested five right-hand dominant patients, showed significant increases in cortical activation with hand training.
Scarab, a robotic system designed for lunar prospecting, will simulate a lunar mission to extract water, hydrogen, and oxygen from Hawaii's Mauna Kea. The robot will use a Canadian-built drill to obtain geologic cores, which will be chemically analyzed on-board instruments developed by NASA.
Researchers at Decagon Devices Inc. successfully measured thermal properties of Martian regolith using a short, fat needle technique, expanding understanding and accuracy of climate models. The study's findings have potential applications in improving commercial thermal properties sensors on Earth.
A recent study published in the Journal of Robotic Surgery found that robotic surgery can significantly lower the risk of a rare but serious complication in patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery. The robotic-assisted procedure resulted in zero gastrointestinal leaks, compared to six leaks in the laparoscopic group.
A new study published in European Urology found that patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy experienced higher levels of dissatisfaction and regret, particularly African-American patients. Longer follow-up periods were also associated with increased regret.
Researchers have discovered that the brain uses a forward model to generate predictions about future movements, allowing for rapid and accurate control. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of neural prosthetic devices and could one day enable people with paralysis to control their limbs through thought.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed a monkey that can feed itself using only its brain signals. The advancement in brain-machine interface technology could lead to better prosthetics for people with spinal cord injuries and those with locked-in conditions.
Researchers discovered that bats can generate a leading-edge vortex, increasing lift by up to 40%, allowing them to hover in mid-air. This finding challenges quasi-steady state aerodynamic theory and has implications for the design of slow-flying surveillance planes.
Human factors researchers developed a software system that dramatically improves astronauts' ability to perform remote tasks under adverse conditions on the International Space Station. The system uses augmented reality techniques to guide operators during robotic installation tasks, resulting in improved accuracy and efficiency.
The exercise will test robot performance on emerging standard test methods using actual training scenarios for emergency responders. Robots will face challenges such as searching for victims in a simulated structural collapse and investigating a train wreck, utilizing various sensors like laser scanners and thermal imagers.
The Deep Phreatic Thermal Explorer (DEPTHX) mission aims to study the physical dimensions, geothermal vents, and potential life in El Zacatón's depths. Using a 2.5-meter-diameter submarine, the team will collect water samples and core samples from the cenote walls.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a motor that can safely power remote-controlled robotic medical devices for cancer biopsies and therapies guided by magnetic resonance imaging. The motor, dubbed PneuStep, is made entirely out of plastics, ceramics, and rubber and is driven by light and air.
A study shows that a wearable robotic therapy device improved arm function by an average of 23% in severely impaired stroke patients. The device, developed by MIT engineers, uses electrical muscle activity to provide power assistance and facilitate movement.
A team of computer scientists from Texas A&M University and the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a robot called ACONE to scan skies for birds near Brinkley, Ark. The robot uses AI-powered object detection to identify potential ivory-billed woodpeckers.
Researchers have created a fly-by-sight micro-helicopter that mimics the flight capabilities of insects, including takeoff, level flight, and landing. The study reveals how insects use optic flow to maintain their position relative to the ground, providing insights into previously unexplained observations about insect flight.
A robotic therapy device called HOWARD has been shown to improve hand function in stroke patients by nearly 10% and manual dexterity by 20%, enabling them to grasp and release objects more effectively. The device, developed by UCI researchers, wraps around the hand and assists patients as they initiate movement.
Dr. Joshua Bongard's research enables robots to detect damage and teach themselves to continue walking despite missing limbs. This innovation is crucial for NASA's planetary missions where robots need to be able to fix themselves without human assistance.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed arrays of robotic whiskers that sense information about object shape and fluid flow. These artificial whiskers can extract three-dimensional features from solid objects by analyzing bending moments and strain gauges.
The new curriculum is designed to encourage students to investigate problems and develop their own solutions, putting the responsibility on them to learn. Students will work with the upgraded software and hardware to appreciate the importance of math and science in real-world applications.
A radiation-armed robot, CyberKnife with Synchrony system, effectively treats lung tumors within a short treatment period of 1-3 sessions. This technology delivers intense focused x-ray beams, causing tumors to absorb more radiation than conventional radiotherapy, leading to rapid tumor destruction.
The study suggests that motor learning involves different time scales and implies that slow learning is key to maintaining motor skills in stroke patients. The research team hopes to tailor therapy strategies to target slow-learning systems, improving recovery of muscle control after brain injuries.
Researchers have made significant advancements in stroke treatment, improving functional use of arms and hands through robotics and neuromuscular stimulation. Additionally, a multidisciplinary program for Parkinson's disease patients has shown long-term improvements in motor function scores.
A study analyzing media coverage of Olympics found that Japanese and American views on winning differ significantly. In Japan, winning is attributed to a combination of athlete's attributes, background, and social experience. This difference reflects cultural products such as television, which influence how people perceive the world.
A randomized controlled trial found that robot-assisted surgery improved the accuracy of knee replacement operations, with all robotically assisted cases lining up bones to within two degrees of planned position. The study also showed no additional side effects and quicker recovery times.
The project aims to develop comprehensive US&R standards for rescue robots, including performance requirements and tests for certification. Over 13 different robot types and over 100 individual performance requirements have been identified.
The Carnegie Mellon rover Zoë will travel 180 kilometers in Chile's Atacama Desert, seeking micro-organisms and mapping their habitats. The results may enable future robots to search for life on Mars and advance our understanding of Earth's distribution of life.
Researchers at MIT have created an Anklebot to aid stroke patients in regaining ankle movement. The device is one part of a larger robotic gym targeting different limbs, building on previous success with arm rehabilitation.
A recent study published in the Journal of Cardiac Surgery found that robotic-assisted cardiac procedures were not more expensive than conventional techniques, despite a higher capital investment. The research showed significant cost benefits from robotic surgery, making it a justified investment for emerging technology.
Astronomers have detected a unique visible light component that varies with gamma rays, suggesting a common origin for both. This finding contradicts previous theories and sheds new light on the nature of these powerful cosmic events.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a robotic arm called RUPERT to help stroke survivors regain basic tasks like reaching and feeding themselves. The device uses pneumatic muscles and can be programmed for repetitive exercises to improve arm and hand flexibility and strength.
A new robotic arm, RUPERT I, can help stroke survivors recover motor function through repetitive exercises. The device is powered by four pneumatic muscles and adjustable to fit different body sizes.
A Johns Hopkins engineering student built an antenna inspired by a cockroach's sensory system, enabling a robot to scurry along walls and avoid obstacles. The device sends signals to the robotic brain, allowing it to maneuver in low-light environments with polished surfaces.
A study by Professor Francis Green found no evidence to suggest that successive generations of workers have higher expectations from their jobs, leading to disappointment. The investigation suggests a general trend of falling well-being among British and German workers, but fails to explain the decline in Germany.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh successfully trained a monkey to feed itself using a child-sized robotic arm controlled by its own brain signals. The breakthrough technology uses tiny electrodes and specialized algorithms to interpret brain activity and guide the arm's movements.
The UC Davis Center for Geotechnical Modeling has been upgraded with a 30-foot radius centrifuge, enabling researchers to simulate pressures deep in the ground and study soil liquefaction during earthquakes. The network allows for remote collaboration and data sharing among researchers across the country.
A hybrid approach combining angioplasty and robotically enhanced minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) shows promise in treating coronary artery disease. The procedure allows for a small incision and avoids opening the chest, reducing postoperative discomfort and aesthetic results.
Researchers developed a neural prosthesis allowing a monkey to grasp and hold food using only its brain. The prosthetic arm is controlled by an algorithm that intercepts signals from the motor cortex, allowing the monkey to learn through biofeedback and refine its movements.
Recent studies have shed new light on how to decode nerve cell signals, simplifying the development of thought-controlled prosthetic devices. By analyzing activity in large populations of nerve cells, researchers hope to create more accurate brain-machine interfaces that can restore movement in paralyzed individuals.
Scientists use Zoe, an autonomous solar-powered rover, to explore the Atacama Desert and test robotic capabilities. They aim to detect signatures of microbial life remotely, which will aid in future human missions to Mars.
Astronomers launch RoboNet, a global network of robotic telescopes using intelligent software to rapidly observe sudden changes in astronomical objects. The project aims to discover Earth-like planets and study Gamma Ray Bursts, exploiting the large size of the telescopes and sensitive instrumentation.
A study found that robotic doctor visits increased patient comfort and accessibility to medical information, with 57% suggesting it should become a standard practice. Patients preferred having their own physician conduct telerounds over others.
A new robotic device called RAFFE has been developed by scientists from the University of Toronto and the University of Calgary to safely collect fingerprint evidence from suspicious packages. The device uses heat and fumes to react with oils in fingerprints, turning them white, allowing for photographing before safe disposal.
Jennifer Lewis and her team developed novel inks that can create three-dimensional periodic structures with feature sizes 100 times smaller than before. The ink is based on polyelectrolyte mixtures and can be tailored to control its flow through fine deposition nozzles.
The minimally invasive surgical techniques made possible by the robot system can give the same surgical result as open-chest techniques with less impact on young patients' bodies. Robot-assisted surgery may be a good option for certain defects and reduces hospital stays, operative trauma, cosmetic impact, and overall recovery time.