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

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

Pittsburgh set to become ‘major player globally’ in autonomous vehicles sector

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The Pittsburgh autonomy sector has reached critical mass and has the potential to become a major player in the global market, according to a new study. It adds, however, that “urgent action is needed” to compete more effectively against other regions and to encourage autonomy companies to locate and remain in Southwestern Pennsylvania as they mature and grow.

The report – Forefront: Securing Pittsburgh’s Break-out Position in Autonomous Mobile Systems – was issued by Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) and the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce with research conducted by TEConomy Partners.

The culmination of a nine-month long study, the report finds that the Pittsburgh region is one of the top centers for autonomous mobile systems – a sector predicted to grow to a $1 trillion+ global market by 2026, with an estimated 5,000 jobs and a $10 billion impact for a region that captures 1 percent of that global market growth. [Read more…] about Pittsburgh set to become ‘major player globally’ in autonomous vehicles sector

How to prepare for Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam?

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IT professionals are in high demand. CCNA certification is one of the most popular and sought-after certifications that IT pros can receive, but it’s not always easy to get your foot into this door.

The good news is there are a lot more opportunities for those who have achieved CCNA certification than ever before!

CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) Certification has been rising in demand recently due to its placement among some of the best networking certificates available today for both entry-level as well as experienced network engineers alike. [Read more…] about How to prepare for Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam?

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’

Robots who goof: Can we trust them again?

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When robots make mistakes – and they do from time to time – re-establishing trust with human co-workers depends on how the machines own up to the errors and how human-like they appear, according to University of Michigan research.

In a study that examined multiple trust repair strategies – apologies, denials, explanations or promises – the researchers found that certain approaches directed at human co-workers are better than others and often are impacted by how the robots look.

Lionel Robert (main picture), associate professor at the U-M School of Information, says: “Robots are definitely a technology but their interactions with humans are social and we must account for these social interactions if we hope to have humans comfortably trust and rely on their robot co-workers. [Read more…] about Robots who goof: Can we trust them again?

Medical Microinstruments’ Symani surgical system saves patient’s arm from amputation

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Medical Microinstruments, a robotics company specialising in microsurgery, says its Symani Surgical System was successfully used at Careggi University Hospital Florence by Professor Marco Innocenti, MD, and his team in a complex, post-traumatic limb reconstruction that saved a patient’s arm from amputation.

The case is the first enrolled patient in MMI’s post-market study.

Prof Innocenti, the head of reconstructive surgery and microsurgery at Careggi University Hospital, performed the procedure which involved a young adult who suffered a motorcycle accident. [Read more…] about Medical Microinstruments’ Symani surgical system saves patient’s arm from amputation

Artificial skin brings robots closer to ‘touching’ human lives

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Modern-day robots are often required to interact with humans intelligently and efficiently, which can be enabled by providing them the ability to perceive touch.

However, previous attempts at mimicking human skin have involved bulky and complex electronics, wiring, and a risk of damage.

In a recent study, researchers from Japan sidestep these difficulties by constructing a 3D vision-guided artificial skin that enables tactile sensing with high performance, opening doors to innumerable applications in medicine, healthcare, and industry. [Read more…] about Artificial skin brings robots closer to ‘touching’ human lives

AOT obtains CE certification for ‘world’s first human-approved contact-free laser cutting of bones with a robot’

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Swiss medical technology company AOT has obtained CE certification for what it says is the “world’s first human-approved contact-free laser cutting of bones with a robot”.

The patented Cold Ablation Robot-guided Laser Osteotome system – CARLO for short – is said to cut bones precisely and contact-free with a specialized laser using a robot.

The laser beam vaporizes the water inside the bone substrate within milliseconds, so the bone will be removed precisely in layers, leaving no residue, as deep as desired or until it is severed. [Read more…] about AOT obtains CE certification for ‘world’s first human-approved contact-free laser cutting of bones with a robot’

Companies ‘determined to improve warehouse automation’, says Honeywell survey

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Companies are “determined to improve warehouse automation”, according to new research by Honeywell Intelligrated.

The survey reveals “improving automation processes” is the most common near-term goal for e-commerce, logistics and food and beverage companies.

Despite the current pandemic, businesses have a positive outlook on growth and will be relying on warehouse automation processes to maintain that optimism, according to a recent Honeywell. [Read more…] about Companies ‘determined to improve warehouse automation’, says Honeywell survey