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Integra Biosciences launches new pipetting robot for labs

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Integra Biosciences has launched a new pipetting robot – called Assist Plus – for application in laboratories.

The company says that today’s scientists “want to do more than just straightforward pipetting tasks in microplates”, so it has taken a fresh approach.

In order to innovate, the company asked laboratories about the specific challenges they face, and how these could be overcome by enhanced liquid handling products.  [Read more…] about Integra Biosciences launches new pipetting robot for labs

Netherlands establishes ‘first Smart Park in Europe’

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The Dutch national park Zuid-Kennemerland is claiming to be the first nature reserve in Europe that is equipped with a Smart Parks network.

By using smart sensor technology, parks administrator PWN can now gather more information about the behavior of the large grazing animals in the park.

This knowledge helps with complicated management issues and contributes to a sustainable balance between nature, grazer, and recreation.  [Read more…] about Netherlands establishes ‘first Smart Park in Europe’

Senecio Robotics ships AI robotic machine to help combat mosquito-borne diseases

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Senecio Robotics has received a positive patent examination for its mosquito robotic solution, making it the sole company with a positive examination for mosquito robotic sex sorting.

Senecio’s robotic sex sorting module is based on deep-learning technology, with mosquitoes being entered on the right side, with automated loading of male-only (none biting) mosquitoes on the left side into release boxes, after classification and sorting.

The female mosquito is the deadliest animal on the planet and transmits diseases such as Malaria, Dengue, Yellow fever, West Nile, Zika, etc. killing hundreds of thousands of people per year and hospitalising millions.

[Read more…] about Senecio Robotics ships AI robotic machine to help combat mosquito-borne diseases

Surgical robotics market forecast to reach almost $100 billion by 2024

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The global market for surgical robotics is set to reach almost $100 billion by 2024, according to KBV Research.

According to a new report, Surgical Robotics Market, published by KBV Research, the Surgical Robotics market is expected to attain a market size of $98 billion by 2024, growing at an annual growth rate of 8.4 percent during the forecast period.

Robotics based surgery is at the cutting edge of precision in the realm of surgery. This is attributed to the phenomenal advancement in the medical devices made since few decades.  [Read more…] about Surgical robotics market forecast to reach almost $100 billion by 2024

Remote-controlled boat to remove oil spills

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The world’s first unmanned oil spill boat has been shown to the environmental authorities and future customers in California.

The technology was developed at Norwegian research institute SINTEF and commercialised through the spinoff company Blue Impact AS.

The six-meter boat looks like a racer boat, but is something completely different: It’s the world’s first unmanned oilseed ship.

[Read more…] about Remote-controlled boat to remove oil spills

Machine learning: Bosch sends sensor system to space station

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Bosch in North America and Astrobotic Technology Inc. have announced a research partnership to send experimental sensor technology to the International Space Station (ISS) as early as May 2019.

Bosch’s SoundSee technology is a deep audio analytics capability that uses a custom array of microphones and machine learning to analyse information contained in emitted noises.

SoundSee’s analytics will investigate whether audio data from equipment could be learned and understood using advanced software, such that it could be used to improve the operations of the ISS.

[Read more…] about Machine learning: Bosch sends sensor system to space station

First AI-powered astronaut assistant debuts in space station

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Cimon, the world’s first artificial intelligence-enabled astronaut assistant, has made its debut aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The ISS’s newest crew member, developed and built in Germany, was called into action on Thursday with the command, “Wake up, Cimon!,” by German ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst, who has been living and working on the ISS since June 8.

Cimon (which stands for Crew Interactive Mobile Companion), responded to Commander Gerst by saying, “What can I do for you?” The five-kilogram, plastic orb then went through a series of operational steps, including weightless navigation, to demonstrate its capabilities.

[Read more…] about First AI-powered astronaut assistant debuts in space station

Festo shows off BionicFinWave underwater robot

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BionicFinWave, which Festo presented for the first time at the Achema 2018, has been inspired by nature. The bionics team examined the undulating fin movements of marine animals such as the polyclad or the cuttlefish.

To move through the water, the animals use their fins to generate a continuous wave that progresses along the entire length of their bodies. This undulation forces the water backwards, thereby producing a forward thrust.

The BionicFinWave also uses this principle to manoeuvre itself forwards or backwards. The underwater robot manoeuvres itself autonomously through a system of acrylic glass tubing. This project is providing impetus for future work with autonomous robots in the process industry.

[Read more…] about Festo shows off BionicFinWave underwater robot

Oceanographers select Wave Glider ocean robot for scientific research

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Top oceanographers have selected Wave Gliders, the most experienced, long duration ocean robots, as their sensor platform to conduct advanced scientific research in the most inhospitable and remote regions of the Arctic and Southern Oceans.

The US scientists, from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (Scripps) and the Applied Physics Laboratory of the University of Washington (APL-UW), will integrate sophisticated oceanographic and atmospheric sensors onto the Wave Gliders to measure extreme wave states, winds, temperature, and salinity in the upper layers of the ocean.

Historically, these regions have been under-sampled due to the dangers and risks of operating in these turbulent oceans.

[Read more…] about Oceanographers select Wave Glider ocean robot for scientific research

Book preview: New academic study on the subject of robots with legs

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Bioinspired Legged Locomotion: Models, Concepts, Control and Applications
By Maziar Sharbafi and André Seyfarth

Elsevier has released a book which may be of interest to roboticists. Here’s a preview.

The book explores the universe of legged robots, bringing in perspectives from engineering, biology, motion science, and medicine to provide a comprehensive overview of the field.

With comprehensive coverage, each chapter brings outlines, and an abstract, introduction, new developments, and a summary.  [Read more…] about Book preview: New academic study on the subject of robots with legs