Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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Aerobotix and FerRobotics develop robotic tool for precision application of masking tape

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Aerobotix and FerRobotics, two robotics companies based in the US and Austria respectively, have partnered on a new solution in response to aerospace industry demand for an automated tool for precision masking tape application.

Collaboration between engineers from the two companies has led to the development of a revolutionary End of Arm Tooling (EOAT).

After months of prototypes and testing during the pandemic, the new Active Taping Kit (ATK) tool was completed, with FerRobotics’ patented Active Compliant Technology (ACT) enabling a robot to use varying pressure when applying tape to an aircraft. [Read more…] about Aerobotix and FerRobotics develop robotic tool for precision application of masking tape

Institut Curie implements Versius surgical robotic system as part of research partnership

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Institut Curie, said to be France’s leading cancer research centre, has introduced CMR Surgical’s Versius Surgical Robotic System as part of a two-year clinical study partnership.

The Versius system will initially be dedicated to gynaecological cancer surgery with a focus on minimally invasive hysterectomies.

Professor Steven Le Gouill, director of the Institut Curie Hospital Complex, says: “This technology enables our hospital to remain at the forefront of innovation. [Read more…] about Institut Curie implements Versius surgical robotic system as part of research partnership

Medical Microinstruments introduces even smaller robotic instruments for complex ‘supermicrosurgery’

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Medical Microinstruments, a robotics company developing devices for microsurgery, has launched its new Supermicro NanoWrist instruments for use with the Symani Surgical System, developed specifically to address the challenges of microsurgery.

The new supermicro needle holder and dilator were recently used in clinical procedures in Zürich, Florence, and Salzburg, with successful patient outcomes.

Simon Enzinger, MD, DDS, surgeon at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University Hospital Salzburg, used the new instruments on a procedure called a partial glossectomy, where he raised a lateral arm free flap to replace a large section of a patient’s tongue which required removal due to cancer. [Read more…] about Medical Microinstruments introduces even smaller robotic instruments for complex ‘supermicrosurgery’

Stratom demonstrates new autonomous pallet loader vehicle

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Stratom, a developer of autonomous ground vehicles and robotic systems for logistics and operational applications, says it has successfully completed field demonstration of its patent-pending ATLAS vehicle, Stratom’s advanced autonomous pallet loader.

Whether operated via tethered remote control or preprogrammed with repeatable operations, Stratom’s ATLAS platform reduces crew needs while loading, unloading and transporting cargo in military and commercial applications, ultimately increasing speed, flexibility, efficiency, dependability and safety.

Last June, Stratom announced that the US Marine Corps awarded the company a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 contract to develop a prototype autonomous pallet loader. [Read more…] about Stratom demonstrates new autonomous pallet loader vehicle

igus acquires majority stake in Commonplace Robotics

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Motion plastics specialist igus is investing in growing its low cost automation activities and has now acquired the majority stake in robot integrator Commonplace Robotics, based in Bissendorf near Osnabrück.

Commonplace Robotics specialises in intuitive control and software as well as power electronics for robotics, in the industrial and educational sectors.

Both companies have worked together closely for six years and have jointly developed the iRC igus Robot Control, which complements igus’s low cost kinematics parts which are made of high-performance plastics. [Read more…] about igus acquires majority stake in Commonplace Robotics

MicroVision’s lidar solution now supported on Nvidia’s autonomous vehicle platform

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MicroVision, a maker of MEMS-based solid-state automotive lidar and advanced driver-assistance systems, says its Mavin DR dynamic view lidar system is now supported on the Nvidia Drive AGX platform.

Mavin DR, MicroVision’s lidar sensor featuring a dynamic field of view, delivers high resolution at all ranges and with low latency, enabling new ADAS safety features to achieve true highway-pilot functionality that OEMs demand.

Nvidia Drive AGX is a scalable, open, centralized software-defined compute platform that serves as the AI brain for highly automated and fully self-driving vehicles. [Read more…] about MicroVision’s lidar solution now supported on Nvidia’s autonomous vehicle platform

Fanuc launches its first stainless steel delta robot

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Fanuc, the world’s largest industrial robot maker, has unveiled the new DR-3iB/6 Stainless delta robot for primary food handling.

The new DR-3iB/6 Stainless is Fanuc’s first stainless steel food-grade delta robot for picking and packing primary food products.

Rated IP69K, the robot meets USDA and FDA food safety standards, and sets a new benchmark for robotic food handling in terms of payload, speed, reach and sanitation. [Read more…] about Fanuc launches its first stainless steel delta robot

FDA approves Virtual Incision to complete clinical study enrollment for its MIRA platform

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Virtual Incision, a medical device company pioneering the world’s first miniaturized robotic-assisted surgery platform, says the US Food and Drug Administration has approved an Investigational Device Exemption supplement to complete the final stage of its clinical study analyzing the MIRA Platform in bowel resection procedures.

The approval was supported by a favorable interim clinical study report on the safety profile of MIRA.

The IDE supplement approval puts Virtual Incision on track to obtain the clinical evidence needed to bring innovation to the soft tissue surgical robotics industry, a market that has been historically dominated by a single player. [Read more…] about FDA approves Virtual Incision to complete clinical study enrollment for its MIRA platform

Virtual reality robotics solution joins Universal Robot’s UR+ Ecosystem

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Virtual reality tech startup Extend Robotics has had its virtual reality robotics solution certified by Universal Robots on its UR+ programme.

Extend Robotics was founded in 2019 by Dr Chang Liu. The tech startup uses consumer Virtual Reality (VR) technology to make it easier for individuals to control robotics hardware remotely.

Dr Liu aims to enable humans and machines to work together in perfect harmony, to ensure no one is left behind in the shift to automation happening across the working world today. [Read more…] about Virtual reality robotics solution joins Universal Robot’s UR+ Ecosystem

Activ Surgical completes first in-human procedures to demonstrate impact of its surgical intelligence and sensing platform

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Activ Surgical, a digital surgery company, has completed its first in-human surgery clinical trial utilizing the company’s technology-as-a-service bundle – the ActivInsights augmented reality-based software suite and the ActivSight imaging module.

Procedures for the study at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) were led by Dr Erik Wilson, professor in the Department of Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and a leading bariatric, endoluminal and robotic general surgeon; and Dr Shinil Shah, associate professor at UTHealth Houston and a preeminent general surgeon with expertise in advanced gastrointestinal surgery.

The safety and feasibility study was conducted across bariatric, colorectal and gallbladder procedures – surgeries in which intraoperative assessment of perfusion and anatomic structures are critical to prevent costly and life-threatening complications. [Read more…] about Activ Surgical completes first in-human procedures to demonstrate impact of its surgical intelligence and sensing platform