Electrical stimulation improves robot-assistive surgery
Sending small electrical currents to the fingertips of someone operating a robotic arm can help surgeons during robot-assisted procedures.
Bionics & Robotics
The fields of robotics and bionics have witnessed several advancements in recent years. We cover the latest technology breakthroughs of surgical robotics, bionic hearing and vision, of smart prosthetics, of micro-robots that travel through bodily fluids to deliver medication exactly to where it’s needed and the development of exoskeletons that help paralyzed people to walk again.
COVID-19: Robot allows clinicians to reuse thousands of masks
A robot is helping maximize the life of some of the most critical personal protective equipment, or PPE, at a time when the surge of demand for such items has aggravated a national shortage.
Robotic testing platform increases coronavirus testing capacity
A robotic testing platform developed in just nine days by dementia researchers could substantially increase the UK’s capacity to test people for coronavirus.
A robotic COVID-19 testing lab
Scientists are creating from scratch a diagnostic lab with the capability to process more than 1,000 patient samples per day.
Robots uncover connections between mind and walking control
Researchers used robots to study how our brains adjust to changes in our walking strides, gaining insights that could be used to develop better physical rehabilitation programs.
An ankle exoskeleton aids running
Researchers find that a motorized device that attaches around the ankle and foot can drastically reduce the energy cost of running.
Researchers are developing a ‘pandemic drone’ to detect coronavirus
A ‘pandemic drone’ to remotely monitor and detect people with infectious respiratory conditions is being developed.
Prostheses could alleviate amputees' phantom limb pain
New prosthetic technologies that stimulate the nerves could pave the way for prostheses that feel like a natural part of the body and reduce the phantom limb pain commonly endured by amputees.
Thai hospitals deploy 'ninja robots' to battle coronavirus
Thai hospitals are deploying "ninja robots" to measure fevers and protect the health of overburdened medical workers on the frontlines of the outbreak.
Fighting hand tremors with AI and robots
Researchers have tapped AI techniques to build an algorithmic model that will make the robots more accurate, faster, and safer when battling hand tremors.
Bionic medicine: towards improved cochlear implants
Researchers have developed a computer model which predicts the neuronal activation patterns that the cochlear implant creates in the auditory nerve fibers.
Robots on the march to walking like humans
A psychological theory could kickstart improvements in the way robots are able to walk, thanks to a study at the University of Manchester.
An ultra-precise mind-controlled prosthetic
Researchers have tapped faint, latent signals from arm nerves and amplified them to enable real-time, intuitive, finger-level control of a robotic hand.
Robot uses AI and imaging to draw blood
Engineers have created a tabletop device that combines a robot, AI and near-infrared and ultrasound imaging to draw blood or insert catheters to deliver fluids and drugs.
Surgeons successfully treat brain aneurysms using a robot
Using a robot to treat brain aneurysms is feasible and could allow for improved precision when placing stents, coils and other devices.
A new mechanical controller design for robot-assisted surgery
Scientists have designed a new type of controller for the robotic arm used in robotic surgery.
Robot toys provide clues about infant development
New research shows that using robots could help detect early signs of autism or ADHD in infants.
Microsurgery robot passes first clinical test
Researchers have carried out the world’s first clinical study of robot-assisted supermicrosurgery to treat lymphedema.
Robot will provide surgical assistance in uterine operations
Researchers have developed a gynecological surgical assistance robot for uterine operations.
Robot does superior job sampling blood
In the future, robots could take blood samples, benefiting patients and healthcare workers alike.
Acoustically driven microrobot outshines natural microswimmers
Researchers developed a bullet-shaped, synthetic miniature robot which is acoustically propelled forward – a speeding bullet, in the truest sense of the word.
University starts drone transport program with UPS, Matternet
Drone service slated to begin February 2020, with goals of enhancing efficacy, reliability and predictability of delivering medical products between hospitals and laboratories.
A bionic “heart” for testing prosthetic valves
Engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a biorobotic hybrid heart for testing prosthetic valves and other cardiac devices.
Children benefit from learning with social robots
Research has shown that explaining aloud what you are learning, whether to yourself or to someone else, leads to a better understanding of the subject.
Using robotics technology to fight breast cancer
Various prototypes of 3D-printed biopsy robots could alleviate the suffering of patients and make breast cancer testing more accurate and efficient.
First robotic coronary angioplasties in Germany
Robocath announces it has successfully completed its first robotic coronary angioplasties with R-One in Germany.
Single-port robotic surgical tech has taken next step
Engineers aim to offer minimally invasive surgery through a single incision, rather than several incisions.
Robotic device assists those with spinal cord injury
Engineers have developed a robotic device that can be used to assist and train people with SCIs to sit more stably by improving their trunk control.
Robot-powered outfit is being fashioned to help seniors walk
A new line of wearable robotics - a lightweight version of the armor that comic hero Iron Man wears - could keep seniors on their feet longer.