Robotics & Automation News

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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

Cleveland Clinic develops bionic arm that restores ‘natural behaviors’

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Cleveland Clinic researchers have engineered a “first-of-its-kind bionic arm” for patients with upper-limb amputations that allows wearers to think, behave and function like a person without an amputation, according to new findings published in Science Robotics.

The Cleveland Clinic-led international research team developed the bionic system that combines three important functions – intuitive motor control, touch and grip kinesthesia, the intuitive feeling of opening and closing the hand.

Collaborators included University of Alberta and University of New Brunswick. [Read more…] about Cleveland Clinic develops bionic arm that restores ‘natural behaviors’

RoboCup Federation and UBTech Robotics team up to improve robots’ football skills

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The RoboCup Federation, famous for organising football matches between teams of tiny Nao humanoid robots, and UBTech Robotics have formed a strategic partnership.

The two companies say they are aiming to achieve “the highest-quality artificial intelligence and robotic research and education as well as respective worldwide visibility”.

Both organizations share the goal of intelligent robots serving and supporting humans in various challenging tasks both at home and at work. [Read more…] about RoboCup Federation and UBTech Robotics team up to improve robots’ football skills

Autonomous excavators ready for around the clock real-world application

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Researchers from Baidu Research and the University of Maryland have developed a robotic excavator system that integrates perception, planning, and control capabilities to enable material loading over a long duration with no human intervention

Researchers from Baidu Research Robotics and Auto-Driving Lab (RAL) and the University of Maryland, College Park, have introduced an autonomous excavator system (AES) that can perform material loading tasks for a long duration without any human intervention while offering performance closely equivalent to that of an experienced human operator.

AES is among the world’s first uncrewed excavation systems to have been deployed in real-world scenarios and continuously operating for over 24 hours, bringing about industry-leading benefits in terms of enhanced safety and productivity.

The researchers described their methodology in a research paper published on June 30, 2021, in Science Robotics. [Read more…] about Autonomous excavators ready for around the clock real-world application

automatica launches new platform for AI and robotics

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automatica, one of the world’s biggest industrial automation trade shows, has launched a new platform for artificial intelligence and robotics.

Called “munich_i”, the newly created platform will celebrate its premiere at automatica sprint from June 22 to 24, 2021.

In addition to the high-tech summit, munich_i also features the digital AI.Society exhibition as well as the Robothon developer competition and the robot driver’s license. All elements are presented in a digital format. [Read more…] about automatica launches new platform for AI and robotics

Woman returns to ‘active, pain-free living’ after robotic surgery

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One patient’s journey to knee replacement: New Jersey woman returns to active, pain-free living after knee surgery with active robot technology by Think Surgical Available at Hackensack University Medical Center

Think Surgical, an innovator in the field of orthopedic active robot surgery, commemorates National Arthritis Awareness Month, which is recognized throughout the month of May.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arthritis is one of the most widespread health conditions in the United States, affecting about one in four adults or more than 54 million men and women.

People like Eugenia Dziopa, who has always been an avid walker, enjoying daily strolls around her neighborhood in northern New Jersey. Two years ago, she began experiencing pain in her left knee from degenerative arthritis. [Read more…] about Woman returns to ‘active, pain-free living’ after robotic surgery

ANYbotics raises $23 million in Series A funding

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ANYbotics, a maker of four-legged robots, has raised CHF20 million ($23 million) in its Series A financing round led by Swisscom Ventures.

The startup says the funding will serve to accelerate the commercialization of its autonomous robots for industrial inspection applications.

ANYbotics enhances safety and productivity in industrial operations through autonomous mobile robots capable of navigating complex environments. [Read more…] about ANYbotics raises $23 million in Series A funding

Indian hospital launches ‘world’s first’ fully active robotic knee replacement system

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Sakra World Hospital, one of the leading healthcare providers in Bengaluru and India’s first FDI (foreign direct investment) hospital, now boasts of the country’s first, one of a kind healthcare breakthrough – advanced robotic knee replacement technology that is set to empower the orthopaedic surgeons to plan the knee replacement days before they enter the operation theatre to actually conduct the procedure.

The “Cuvis Joint” is claimed to be “the world’s first fully active robotic knee replacement system” which is now making knee replacement surgeries “more accurate, transparent and hassle-free” in Sakra World Hospital and comes as a “bliss” for those suffering from severe arthritis, says Sakra.

Manufactured by Curexo, a South Korean firm and marketed and sold by Meril Healthcare in India and known for its unique and autonomous nature of functioning, Cuvis Joint was launched by BS Yediyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka and Dr Shivaraj Kumar, popular Kannada film actor. [Read more…] about Indian hospital launches ‘world’s first’ fully active robotic knee replacement system