Robotics & Automation News

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CMR Surgical’s Versius robot adopted by top London hospitals

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Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust is the first hospital in London to use the Versius next-generation robot from CMR Surgical, enabling patients awaiting cancer treatment greater access to minimal access surgery in the capital.

This is the latest in a string of new NHS sites to acquire Versius, as the next-generation robot from Cambridge continues to demonstrate merit to leading health systems across the world.

CMR Surgical, the maker of Versius, says Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust is the latest NHS Trust, and first site in London, to adopt its robot. The renowned teaching hospital has adopted the versatile technology in order to increase patient access to minimal access – or keyhole – surgery across both of its London sites. [Read more…] about CMR Surgical’s Versius robot adopted by top London hospitals

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?

Columbia develops ‘robotic trunk support assists’ for people with spinal cord injuries

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Engineers at Columbia university have invented a robotic trunk-support-trainer to retrain patients with spinal cord injury to sit more stably and gain an expanded active sitting workspace. (See video below.)

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) can cause devastating damage, including loss of mobility and sensation. Every year, there are an estimated 17,000 new SCIs in the US alone, a rate higher than in most regions of the world.

In addition, the rate of SCIs in people 65 years or older is expected to rise in the US, from 13 percent in 2010 to 16.1 percent by 2020. [Read more…] about Columbia develops ‘robotic trunk support assists’ for people with spinal cord injuries

The Future of Auto Transportation

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We live in a world of automation. Our worlds are in the palm of our hands, thanks to mobile technology. We have more access to everything, faster, and drones are already delivering parcels. Self-driving cars are fast approaching the next stage after experimentation.

But what does this mean for the future of the auto transportation industry?

Freight demand continues to grow, placing significant strain on freeways. In fact, the Department of Transport estimates that “… by 2040, nearly 30,000 miles of our busiest highways will be clogged on a daily basis. Truck congestion will waste $27 billion in time and fuel economy annually”. [Read more…] about The Future of Auto Transportation

Video: F&P Robotics boss says he wouldn’t trust the thinking, feeling robots of the future

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The founder and managing director of F&P Robotics says he wouldn’t trust the robots of the future because they will become conscious and capable of taking over the world, and possibly enslaving humans. (See video below.)

The experienced roboticist, who has a background in natural sciences and brain research, says it’s only a matter of time before artificial intelligence-powered robots start thinking about big questions – like, who created the universe and what is the point of humans.

In an interview with RoboticsAndAutomationNews.com, recorded at Hannover Messe in Germany (video above), Dr Hansruedi Früh says the only difference between humans and robots, at the moment, is “self-reflection, which only humans and very few animals have”, but robot learning is progressing and that their consciousness is inevitable.  [Read more…] about Video: F&P Robotics boss says he wouldn’t trust the thinking, feeling robots of the future

Trust Automation adds ‘revolutionary capture technology’ to robotic aircraft

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Trust Automation says it has provided critical engineering support in the development of the recovery system for Zipline International’s medical delivery drones.

Trust Automation is a provider of standard and custom motors and controls as well as support system solutions.

Trust Automation says it was instrumental in taking a concept provided by Zipline from drawing board design to operational reality. [Read more…] about Trust Automation adds ‘revolutionary capture technology’ to robotic aircraft

In robots we trust, says Genfour

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robot woman

Robots are becoming more and more integrated into our everyday lives, but are we willing to trust them over our own intuition?

Should we trust robots?

A team of researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology recently conducted an experiment to determine whether or not the occupants of a building would trust a guide robot in the event of an emergency evacuation in case of fire.

Thirty volunteers were accompanied by a robot with wheels and LED arms in a room, and were asked to complete a survey form. The researchers then filled the hallways of the building with fake smoke and triggered the fire alarm. The participants left the room and the guide robot led the way towards a path that was unfamiliar to the participants.  [Read more…] about In robots we trust, says Genfour