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Amgen to build biomanufacturing plant in Rhode Island

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Amgen plans to build a new state-of-the-art next-generation biomanufacturing plant at its campus in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, USA.

The new plant, the first of its kind in the United States (U.S.), will employ Amgen’s next-generation biomanufacturing capabilities and manufacture products for the U.S. and global markets.

A next-generation biomanufacturing plant incorporates multiple innovative technologies into a single facility, and therefore is built in half the construction time with approximately one half of the operating cost of a traditional plant.

[Read more…] about Amgen to build biomanufacturing plant in Rhode Island

Tennant to launch autonomous floor cleaning machines

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Tennant Company will launch its first autonomous floor care machine capable of operating in complex, real-world environments without direct operator control.

The first Tennant autonomous solution is expected to be available in North America on the T7 floor scrubber in 2018 with further expansion into global markets and additional models to follow.

Tennant, a cleaning products and solutions company, recently formed a relationship with Brain Corp, an artificial intelligence (A.I.) company specializing in technology for autonomous robots.

[Read more…] about Tennant to launch autonomous floor cleaning machines

Robotic spine exoskeleton paves the way for new spine deformity treatments

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Columbia Engineering researchers have invented a new Robotic Spine Exoskeleton (RoSE) that may lead to new treatments for spine deformities.

Spine deformities, such as idiopathic scoliosis and kyphosis (also known as “hunchback”), are characterized by an abnormal curvature in the spine.

The children with these spinal deformities are typically advised to wear a brace that fits around the torso and hips to correct the abnormal curve. Bracing has been shown to prevent progression of the abnormal curve and avoid surgery. The underlying technology for bracing has not fundamentally changed in the last 50 years.

[Read more…] about Robotic spine exoskeleton paves the way for new spine deformity treatments

US stroke association teams with Ekso to promote exoskeleton technology

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A new partnership has been launched to educate stroke survivors and the medical profession about the benefits of exoskeleton technology in stroke rehabilitation.

The National Stroke Association, a US non-profit organisation that provides stroke education and programs to stroke survivors, caregivers, and the healthcare community, and Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc., a leader in exoskeleton technology for medical and industry use, have announced an educational partnership to increase awareness of and access to advance stroke rehabilitation exoskeleton technology, which enables earlier mobility and restored independence for survivors of stroke.

The partnership will coincide with National Stroke Awareness Month, in May, and Stroke and Technology Month, in November, when the national spotlight will be on developments in technologies that provide post-stroke independence and improved health outcomes.

[Read more…] about US stroke association teams with Ekso to promote exoskeleton technology

Cyberdyne and Sumitomo install robot office cleaners

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Cyberdyne and Sumitomo Corporation have agreed to work together to automate and streamline office building cleaning, signing a memorandum of understanding on March 26, 2018.

Sumitomo Corporation plans to operate Cyberdyne’s Cleaning Robot CL02 in office buildings owned by subsidiary companies of Sumitomo Corporation.

In 2001, Sumitomo Corporation installed a cleaning robot system at its headquarters in Harumi Triton Square, Tokyo, where it is still in use today.

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Exclusive interview: Sarcos Robotics aims to augment human strengths

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Exclusive interview with Ben Wolff, CEO of Sarcos Robotics

Hollywood actress Sigourney Weaver is most famous for two things: one is making vests popular and the other is having an epic dust-up with a massive alien on the deck of a spaceship, toe to toe, mano-a-mano, or womano-a-womano, or womano-a-alieno, or whatever. 

In space, no one can hear you mangle the Spanish language.

The vest is of less interest to this website, but the battle suit Weaver wore to take on what is arguably the most terrifying alien in cinematic history is of great interest because it was an exoskeleton, although most people probably didn’t know what it was called at the time.

The film was, of course, Aliens, released in 1986, and in donning the exoskeleton, Weaver instantly acquired what seemed like hundreds of times her natural body strength.  [Read more…] about Exclusive interview: Sarcos Robotics aims to augment human strengths

Roam Robotics launches ‘lightweight’, AI-powered exoskeleton for skiers

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Startup company Roam Robotics is launching its first product – a mobile exoskeleton that it says will help to improve endurance, safety, and experience for skiers and snowboarders. (See video below.)

The device will target the 16 million US adults currently engaged in snow sports, inclusive of the millions of adults age 45 and older that will benefit the most from the support provided by this product, especially those with knee or muscle fatigue issues.

Roam’s device promises to extend your ski day, access longer challenging terrain, make stronger turns, or simply enjoy the sport without the pain – “all the while keeping your knees safer”, says the company.  [Read more…] about Roam Robotics launches ‘lightweight’, AI-powered exoskeleton for skiers

Cyberdyne and Brooks set up Medical HAL joint venture

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Cyberdyne, Inc. and Brooks Rehabilitation, one of the busiest rehabilitation hospital groups in the U.S., have established a joint venture company, Cyberdyne & Brooks, Inc. (C&B), to promote Medical HAL in the US.

Cyberdyne has invested two-thirds and Brooks a third in the new firm. C&B has opened a Brooks Cybernic Treatment Center (BCTC) in Florida and begun its sales operation to spread Medical HAL – HAL for medical use lower limb type – to all parts of the U.S.

The innovative treatment with Medical HAL was developed as the result of utilizing Cybernic technology. It improves the quality of lives of patients through improvement of body function, reduces the burden of care through promotion of patients’ independence and diminishes the social cost as a whole. [Read more…] about Cyberdyne and Brooks set up Medical HAL joint venture

Sarcos teams up with leading industrial innovators on exoskeletons

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Sarcos Robotics has formed an industry focused Exoskeleton Technical Advisory Group (“X-TAG”) comprised of executives from leading companies in industrial manufacturing, automotive, aviation and aerospace, construction, oil & gas, and utilities.

The X-TAG is working with Sarcos and industry groups to identify key performance and safety requirements necessary to bring powered and quasi-passive, full-body industrial exoskeleton systems to the work force.

Sarcos specializes in the production of robots that combine human intelligence and dexterity with the strength, endurance and precision of machines to improve efficiency and reduce occupational injuries for complex or non-repetitive tasks.

[Read more…] about Sarcos teams up with leading industrial innovators on exoskeletons

Custom earbuds made possible with 3D

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Formlabs and 3Shape are partnering to create a full lifecycle for creating on-demand custom earbuds, with the Form 2 3D printer and Phoenix in-ear scanner.

The human body is one of the most custom and unique shapes, and the ear canal is no exception, a truly custom-fit earbud can provide long-term wear, comfort, stability, noise reduction and noise cancellation from the environment compared to current comfort headphones.

“We’re seeing 2018 as the year custom earbuds will be available to most consumers,” said Dávid Lakatos, chief product officer at Formlabs.

[Read more…] about Custom earbuds made possible with 3D