Рубрика: Robotics

Brace yourself for the future where robots will mimic humans, in every way.

In today’s date, modern robotic development is inspired by studying the human brain, so says Mikhail Lebedev, Academic Supervisor at HSE University’s Centre for Bioelectric interfaces. An article in Science Robotics called “Neuroengineering challenges fusing robotics and neuroscience” also talks about how neuroscience and robots are developing hand in hand, contributing to the progress in both fields to develop more advanced android robots.

The Neuro-Science Behind Robotics

Don’t most robots look like humans? If sci-fi movies have taught us one thing, it’s that robots have two arms, two legs, and a head. It’s not necessary from an engineer’s perspective, but when a robot has to interact with people, it’s easy for humans to trust if a machine looks like one of us. It’s also possible to ensure that not just the body, but the “brain” of the robot also resembles that of a human. When developing mechanisms for perception, information processes, and control, engineers take inspiration from the structure of the human nervous system.

For example, to mimic the human eye and vision, cameras that can move on different axes are installed. Based on the knowledge of how visual signals are processed in humans, engineers design the robot’s sensors based on the same principles. This is how robots are given the human ability to see the world in 3D.

We humans have a vestibulo-ocular reflex. It’s when our eyes apply stabilization using vestibular information whenever we make a movement, allowing the structure our eyes are seeing to be stable. Similarly, there may be acceleration and orientation sensors on a robot’s body to stabilize the visual perception of body movements of the outside world.

Did you know that a robot can experience the sense of touch too? It uses artificial tactile information to grip things and react when it touches an obstacle. Not just sensory experiences, robots gave specialized nerve cells designed to control motor activities like walking.

The Robots Behind Neuroscience

The connection between neuroscience and robotics is interrelated. Just like how engineers use neuroscience principles to create a robot, robots are created for neuroscience too. Developing mechanical and computer models of a human nervous system allows neuroscientists to understand neurological functions and biomechanics in a better way.

A prominent domain of neuroscience that uses robots is in designing neural interfaces. These are systems for controlling external devices using brain signals. They’re necessary for the development of neuroprostheses (artificial limbs) and exoskeletons.

The Future Of Robotics

The rapid development of humanoid robots is becoming a reality, day after day. That future is not far when we will have robots coexisting with humans, walking around us, thinking like us, and imitating us. They will also be doing things that earlier only humans could do. Obviously, this will also mean the field of neuroscience will flourish. It will open new opportunities for neuroscientists to get a deeper knowledge about perplexing human brains.

So, don’t be surprised to see a humanoid employee in the future.

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Robotic Surgical Companies that are transforming the field of surgical procedures

Medical robots form a rapidly growing sector of the medical devices industry. Regardless of whether utilized for home help, crisis response, negligibly invasive medical surgery, targeted therapy, or prosthetics, they are turning out to be increasingly more widely utilized these days, transforming medical care across the globe.

As innovative headways persistently develop, medical surgery has substantiated itself as a refined discipline fit for treating a plenty of illnesses and conditions. Therefore, as computer hardware and software improves with time, these advances have been integrated into the operating room as well.

The most popular robotics applications in medical services and healthcare are surgical. Everything from organ transplants and gastrointestinal surgeries to spine medical procedures and urological operations are performed utilizing robots of some sort.

In the United States, around 9,00,000 robot-assisted surgeries were performed in 2018. The worldwide surgical robotics market created $4.71 billion in 2018 and is assessed to reach $15.43 billion by 2029. The market is classified into three fragments, in particular, surgical systems, surgical services and instruments & accessories.

Let’s look at the top 10 robotic Surgical Companies in 2021 all over the world

Intuitive Surgical

Intuitive Surgical stood firm on the leading position in the United States robotic surgery market in 2018. It got FDA approval for its first-historically robotic system da Vinci® in 2000, and from that point forward, they have developed the da Vinci® framework to yield a robotic surgery empire. Other da Vinci® systems, for example, the da Vinci S® were marketed in 2006 and the da Vinci Si® in 2009, yet Intuitive’s leader product, the da Vinci Xi®, was presented in 2014. Intuitive Surgical will still be the leader by a huge edge for a considerable number of years, powered by revenue from its surgeries, services and maintenance fees.

Hansen Medical

The Mountain View, Calif.-based organization’s robotic catheter is intended to explore the peripheral vasculature and give a conduit for the arrangement of therapeutic devices. The catheter works as a component of Hansen’s Magellan robotic system. The Sensei X Robotic system utilizes 3D catheter controls and 3D visualization to permit a surgeon to control its robotically steerable catheters for gathering electrophysiological information inside the heart atria.

Diligent Robotics

Diligent’s AI-empowered robots work with people in day-to-day scenarios. The organization’s autonomous Moxi robot can be left alone to perform tedious logistical errands in hospitals like setting up patient rooms and restocking supply rooms. Fit for navigating hospital hallways and other restricted spaces, Moxi is even permeated with social intelligence that is passed on through its head movements and LED eyes.

Medrobotics

Medrobotics is a Massachusetts-based organization that recently got US$20 million in financing to venture into general medical surgery and create cutting-edge robotic systems. Its Flex Robotic System got FDA approval in 2015 and permits doctors to get to anatomical areas like ear, nose, or throat with its snakelike plan and 180° path.

CMR Surgical Limited

CMR Surgical is a British organization, building the cutting-edge careful surgical robotic system, Versius, for minimal access medical surgery. Their vision is to make minimal invasive medical surgery universal that is easily accessible and affordable. CMR Surgical, established in 2014, has its headquarters in Cambridge and got the European CE Mark in March 2019 for the Versius Surgical Robotic System.

Stryker

Stryker was the second leading contender in the wake of entering the robotic surgery market after their procurement of MAKO Surgical Corp for $1.65 billion in 2013. MAKO produced and sold the Rio® Robotic Arm interactive orthopedic surgical platform, which has since been advertised by Stryker as the Mako Robotic Arm. The Mako framework, utilized for partial knee arthroplasty and absolute hip arthroplasty, produces by far most of the revenue in the orthopedic robotics market.

Corindus Vascular Robotics

Corindus’ CorPath 200 device is intended for percutaneous coronary mediations. The CorPath accompanies a radiation-protected “cockpit” for the surgeon. The CorPath 200 is the first and only robotic-assisted procedure to take into account controlled placement of coronary guidewires and stent/swell catheters from an optimized interventional cockpit.

In utilizing the framework, the surgeon works CorPath 200 from behind a radiation-protected “cockpit.” Rather than being with a patient while clad in a lead apron, the surgeon is situated behind an operating station, controlling surgical devices with a range of touch-screen and joystick controls.

Verb Surgical

Verb surgical is perhaps the most innovative robotic surgery organization on the planet and was framed as a strategic partnership between Google’s Alphabet and Johnson & Johnson’s medical devices subsidiary, Ethicon. They are zeroing in on creating a digital surgery platform that integrates robotics technology, progressed visualization, progressed instrumentation and data analytics. Such robotic surgery companies embrace big data and machine learning expertise from Google to create a digital surgical platform, which will not cost exactly the current robots in medical.

Zimmer Biomet Robotics

Zimmer Biomet Robotics, once known as Medtech SA, is a robotic surgery company organization, established in 2002 in Montpellier, France. It creates robotic help for surgical procedures of the central nervous system and different applications like the knee. Its main product is ROSA, a robotic surgical assistant intended for negligibly invasive medical procedures.

Myomo

Myomo’s controlled brace MyoPro is intended to help those who’ve encountered a loss of motion or debilitating in their hands and arms because of a lot of conditions. The device peruses nerve signals from the skin’s surface, at that point activates little engines that encourage natural arm and hand movements.

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What are some of the widely known types of robots that are used for mainstream applications?

In recent years, we have heard a lot of buzz around what capabilities robots possess, what are their abilities, to what extent they can be beneficial for humankind, and so on. From transforming people’s daily lives and work practices to raising efficiency and safety levels, robotics solutions influence every aspect of work and home. Today the robotics industry is worth multi-billions. According to Analytics Insight, the robotics global market for robotics is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 10.9% from US$47.8 billion in 2019 to US$80.2 billion in 2023.

The commercial and industrial value of robots will surge in the coming years, thanks to their wide range of applications and varieties. But, are we aware of the types of robots being used in today’s scenario? Let’s find out!

Before we proceed with distinctive types of robots, first, let’s understand what a robot is. Basically, a robot is a mechanical device that is capable of movement by duplicating certain human functions electronically with the help of a computer. It is designed to perform a function (or series of functions) automatically, whether simple or complex. A robot makes use of disciplines such as dynamic system modeling and analysis, mathematics, biology, physics, mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, computer science and engineering, and automation technology. The flexibility of a robot with the capability of performing a large variety of tasks and applications has made it very useful in today’s industrial arena.

Types of Robots

Autonomous Vehicles: Bizarre as it may sound, robots are also capable of driving us via driverless vehicles. Before they can hit the road, autonomous vehicles are categorized as per six levels of automation, according to the SAE. Here each level has a specific set of requirements that a vehicle must meet before it can be considered to operate at that level. Some examples of top companies building such vehicles are nuTonomy, Zoox, Drive.ai, Tesla, Optimus Ride, Waymo.

Cobots: Collaborative robots or cobots operate in conjunction with and in a shared environment with humans to perform their tasks. E.g., Sawyer cobot arm which helps greenhouse workers pick plants. Mitsubishi cobot, offers coffee at Café X kiosk in Hong Kong. Some cobots are also used for higher-quality inspection, resulting in more accurate production batches.

Disaster Response Robots: They perform dangerous jobs like searching for survivors in the aftermath of an emergency and help in other crucial activities at the disaster site. E.g. Hyrodnalix’s Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard (EMILY) is a four-foot, 25-pound remote-controlled robot that acts as a hybrid flotation buoy-lifeboat. Colossus from Shark Robotics can help in fire fighting, haul firefighting equipment, transport wounded victims and trigger its 360-degree, high-definition thermal camera to assess a scene. It was approved as resourceful during France’s Notre-Dame Cathedral fire disaster.

Drones: A type of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which is actually an aircraft without a human pilot on board. This type of robot has invaded a wide range of industries around the world and is helping in carrying many activities. E.g., China has used drones to help clear the atmosphere of fog. Drones from Dji and Lehmann Aviation are being used in aerial photography. Drones are also used to deliver inventory, medical kits, and even pizza (e.g. Domino’s DomiCopter).

Entertainment Robots: They are designed to arouse human emotions to entertain us. Some of the examples are RoboThespian; a robot comedian, Navi Shaman; a Disney theme park robot, and Partner; a robotic musician. A few years ago, four ABB robots took the stage at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing.

Humanoid Robots: These robots look like and can also mimic human behavior. They usually perform human-like activities (like running, jumping and carrying objects), and are sometimes designed to look like us, even having human faces and expressions. Some notable examples include Surena IV (Iranian University of Tehran), Sophia (Hanson Robotics), Atlas (Boston Dynamics).

Industrial robots: There are six types of industrial robots: articulated robots, Cartesian robots, the SCARA robots, the cylindrical robots, delta robots, and polar robots.

• Articulated Robot: It resembles a human arm in its mechanical configuration. The arm is connected to the base with a twisting joint. The number of rotary joints connecting the links in the arm can range from two joints to ten joints and each joint provides an additional degree of freedom.

• Cartesian: Also called rectilinear or gantry robots, Cartesian robots have three linear joints that use the Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, and Z). They also may have an attached wrist to allow for rotational movement. The three prismatic joints deliver a linear motion along the axis.

• SCARA: Selective Compliance Assembly/Articulated Robot or Arm (SCARA) is more commonly used for assembly purposes all over the world due to its easy and unobstructed mounting.

• Cylindrical: These robots are generally used for assembly purposes, spot welding, and machine die castings. They have a minimum one rotary joint at the base and at least one prismatic joint to connect the links. The rotary joint uses a rotational motion along the joint axis, while the prismatic joint moves in a linear motion.

• Delta Robots: Also referred to as “spider robots,” they use three base-mounted motors to actuate control arms that position the wrist. Basic delta robots are 3-axis units but 4- and 6-axis models are also available.

• Polar: Also known as spherical robots, in this configuration the arm is connected to the base with a twisting joint and a combination of two rotary joints and one linear joint. The axes form a polar coordinate system and create a spherical-shaped work envelope.

Space Robots: As the name suggests these robots have been exclusively used in various outer space missions. For example, Dextre is a robotic arm which was designed to install and replace small equipment such as exterior cameras or the 100-kg batteries used on the Space Station, replace defective components in the Station’s electrical systems and test new tools and robotics techniques. Robonaut 2 helps in carrying experiments. We also have spacebots that have helped in space exploration like Dawn – first spacecraft to orbit a dwarf planet. It is credited with discovering the source of many meteorites: the giant asteroid Vesta. Mars rovers – Curiosity and Perseverance.

It is important to note that these are broadly used robot versions. There are military robots, underwater robots, hexapods, sanitary bots, research bots, teleoperated robots and much more.

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Analytics Insight has listed top robotics jobs that robotics graduate should apply for in March 2020.

A few decades back, robotics was science fiction and anything related to robotics, including job opportunities were seen as a thing of the future. Now, the future is here by changing robotic science fiction into science fact. The robotic industry is opening top robotic jobs from across the globe. Robotics is a branch of engineering, which deals with the making and managing of robots and robotic process automation. Robots are programmed machines that carry out tasks autonomously to streamline the routine process. On the other hand, robotic process automation services allow anybody to configure computer software, or a robot to emulate and integrate the actions of a human interacting with digital systems to execute a business process. Henceforth, openings in the field are becoming more popular in recent years. Some of the top robotic job types include robotic engineer, robotics technician, software developer, robotic operator, robotic account manager, robotic process automation developer, etc. These professionals work on developing electronic devices such as domestic appliances, robots used in space and deep sea, defence robots, healthcare robots, etc. Analytics Insight has listed top robotics jobs that robotic graduates should apply for in March 2020.

Top robotic jobs in March 2021

Microsoft Robotic Process Automation Application Developer at Accenture

Location: Bengaluru

Accenture Plc is an Irish multinational company selling consulting and processing services. Founded in 1989, Accenture offers strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations services powered by the world’s largest network of advanced technology and intelligent operations centres. The company works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve performance and create sustainable value for stakeholders by combining deep experience and specialized skills.

Role and responsibility: As an application developer, the job demands the candidate to have 4-6 years of experience in Robotic Process Automation with automation anywhere. The candidate should have the ability to understand business processes and create process flow diagrams, and experience interaction with client business, IT, operations and Architecture teams on and offshore. He/she should be capable to build and work with developers and testers to implement automation solutions independently across multiple clients. The job demands experience in C and/or Java, HTML, CSS Microsoft Technology VB NET, Windows, Internet Explorer, SQL Server, etc.

Apply for the job here

DevOps Engineering, SAP Intelligent Robotic Process Automation at SAP SE

Location: Bengaluru, Hyderabad

SAP SE is a German multinational software corporation that develops enterprise software to manage business operations and customer relations. Founded in 1972 as an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, the company has evolved to become a market leader in end-to-end enterprise application software, database, analytics, intelligent technologies, and experience management. As an innovative cloud company with over 200 million users worldwide, SAP enables businesses of all sizes and in all industries to operate profitability, adapt continuously, and realize strategic goals.

Role and responsibility: As a DevOps Engineers, the candidate will support developers on work related to Git, GitHub, JaaS. He/she will also engage with developers, QA program management to prepare, plan and help generate the compilation/build time. The candidate will automate the storage of logs and other artifacts used for building the reason for audit reasons. He/She should also improve management of build machines, dashboards, drop zone, install windows updates, free disk space, recycle resources, handle IP/security scans and improve communication around important phases of the release process.

Apply for the job here

Developer Robotics & Automation at ITC Infotech

Location: Bengaluru

ITC Infotech is a global technology solution and services leader providing business-friendly solutions that enable future-readiness for clients. Founded in 2000, the company seamlessly brings together digital expertise, strong industry-specific alliances and deep domain expertise from ITC Group business. ITC Infotech solutions and services are focused on banking & financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, customer goods, travel and hospitality.

Role and responsibility: The role, RPA developer is within the ITC Infotech’s application development group of Rapid Response Team at UnitedHealth Company. The job demands an experience of 3 to 5 years in .NET, REST API, UI PATHor SQL. The candidate will have to report to Project Lead/ Manager Application Developer on multiple projects.

Apply for the job here

RPA Engineering-Robotic Process Automation at Amazon

Location: Hyderabad

Amazon.com, Inc. is the world’s largest online retailer and a prominent cloud services provider. Founded in 1994, the company was originally a bookseller, but later has expanded to sell a variety of consumer goods and digital media as well as its own electronic devices such as Kindle e-book reader, Alexa, Fire TC, Amazon Prime, etc. Amazon works with a mission to be earth’s most customer-centric company.

Role and responsibility: The Robotic Process Automation (RPA) developer will be responsible for developing complex automation solutions using a variety of methods in support of automation initiatives. He/she should collaborate with the end-users as well as team members in the design, development, testing and maintenance of automation projects across the organization.

Apply for the job here

Automation Engineer at Mindtree

Location: Bengaluru

Mindtree Ltd is an International Technology consulting and implementation company that delivers business solutions through global software development. Founded in 1999, the company is structured into four industry verticals namely retail, CPG and Manufacturing (RCM), banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI), technology, media and service (TMS) and travel and hospitality. Mindtree offers services in the areas of agile, analytics and information management, application development and maintenance, business process management, etc.

Role and responsibility: As an automation engineer, the candidate should be able to understand the process of automation, and automation requirements and convert it to scripting. He/she should provide timely and accurate assistance for automation in the assigned business areas. The candidate should be very good in scripting and have storing understanding of solutions using scripting and underlying IT services with an innovative mindset.

Apply for the job here

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Innovations in robotics have changed people’s every walk of life

Recent innovations in robotics have already proved that robots can be an integral part of humans’ lives. From automating complex tasks to lifting heavy machines, robots are assisting humans in every type of business, contributing to higher quality products with shorter downtime. They have come a long way from research labs to venture into new spheres. They are expected to continue the striking migration towards automotive, healthcare, and more.

The global robots market is predicted to reach just under US$210 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of around 26% during 2018-2025. Analytics Insight compiles a list of game-changing innovations in robotics to be worth looking at in 2021.

Robotic Ambassador

The most recognizable face of humanoids, Sophia, is a social humanoid developed by Hong Kong-based Hanson Robotics. She is the world’s first robot citizen and the first robot Innovation Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme. Last year, the AI-powered four-year-old robot was reported to continue her role as a robotic ambassador, helping to advance research into robotics and human-robot interactions. Taught by humans, Sophia can move, talk, show some emotions, draw, and sing.

Google’s worker robots

Search engine giant Google plans to produce worker robots with personalities. The company recently won a patent for the ambitious project. Engineers will enable the machines to download personalities from a cloud-based system. The robots can store and display multiple personalities when interacting with humans.

AI-Driven Security Robots

Artificial intelligence has already proved to be one of the effective solutions from a security perspective. It is now used to power robotics technology to ensure security in businesses. The SMP Robotics S5.2 security robot, for instance, is a revolutionary solution for enterprise integration. It can help keep an area as secure as possible by harnessing the power of the latest technology. The security robot can be set to only alert administrators if it detects a human using facial recognition to put a focus on enhanced autonomy.

Space Robots

A Russian humanoid robot was recently delivered to the International Space Station (ISS). The humanoid robot was brought on a Soyuz spacecraft, where it sat in the captain’s seat of the spacecraft. The robot, titled the Skybot F-850, was constructed by the Roscosmos space agency. The robot has sensors that can take internal measurements of the spacecraft, including things like G-force, vibrations temperature and more.

Saul Robot

Developed by Xenex and deployed by the Air Force, Saul Robot is designed to tackle deadly diseases like the Ebola virus. The machine eliminates the virus in rooms where quarantine procedures are conducted on aid workers. Saul also eradicates traces of the Ebola virus using powerful pulses of highly energetic ultraviolet rays. It breaks down and weakens the cell walls of the virus.

Sea Robots

These are autonomous underwater vehicles that are pre-programmed to gather data from particular parts of the deep ocean. A Norwegian company Eelume has unveiled a high-tech sea robot, dubbed the Eelume EELY500. It is designed to carry out underwater inspections and maintenance tasks in industrial settings. Eelume is a spin-off from research efforts at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Swimming Robots

These kinds of robots can be incredibly beneficial to studying and mapping the surf-zone, where waves meet the shore. A United States-based company Pliant Energy Systems builds a highly versatile robot that is quite agile and can quickly change locations. For this project, the company taps its green energy technology that was originally developed for generating electricity from rivers. The company’s swimming robot has soft fins that make it quite agile and its amphibious abilities carry some value for sea exploration.

Asus Zenbo

Asus Zenbo, a low-cost robotic device, is capable of rolling around autonomously and understands verbal commands. The device is designed to assist individuals to remember daily tasks, such as exercise and medication schedules as well as doctor’s appointments. Asus Zenbo can also monitor the surroundings to sense any emergencies. It is capable of connecting to smart-home components like security cameras, lights, and door locks.

Collegiate Delivery Robots

Starship Technologies has developed robots for campus food delivery service at George Mason University. This robotic food delivery service requires students to use a simple smartphone app to order food from eligible restaurants, much like UberEats. The food is delivered by a robot that navigates by using an array of sensors and 360-degree cameras.

Paro

Developed by AIST, a leading Japanese industrial automation pioneer, Paro is a therapeutic robotic device. It helps lower stress levels and accelerates interaction between caregivers and patients. Paro has proven effective when it comes to motivating and assisting patients to relax. It is the 8th generation of a design that has been in use in Japan and throughout Europe since 2003. It comes with five different sensors, including posture, light, tactile, audition, and temperature sensors.

The post A Look at the Top Game-Changing Innovations in Robotics appeared first on Analytics Insight.

Exploring the emerging robotics startups that are advancing the robotics industry

Technological breakthroughs, especially robotics and artificial intelligence, around the world are rapidly changing the way of our interaction with technology surrounding us. Robotics is no longer a far-reaching technology right now. It has already started influencing not only complex business environments but also our lives. The world has been witnessing a growing crop of robotics startups in the last few years that are advancing the way of interaction with robots in all scenarios. Analytics Insight has compiled a list of the coolest robotics startups that are disrupting the robotics industry in 2021.

As the Robotics market is estimated to hit US$210 billion by 2025, here are the top 10 cool robotics startups to keep an eye on in 2021.

Diligent Robotics

Diligent Robotics is a Texas-based robotics startup. It develops AI-enhanced robot assistants to collaborate with and adapt to humans in everyday environments. Diligent Robotics designs and builds robots like Moxi that assist clinical staff with routine activities so they can focus on caring for patients. Last year, the startup raised US$10 million in series A funding to scale its solution to a wider customer base as well as accelerate its product strategy and development in both hardware and software.

Magazino GmbH

Magazino is a developer of mobile, perception-driven robots for warehouse logistics and intralogistics. The Munich, Germany-based robotics startup builds software and develops robots that work together with people autonomously, safely and at a level of navigation with manipulation that nobody before has reached. Magazino’s robots leverage machine learning and advanced computer vision to work alongside human warehouse workers and make the right strategic decisions.

Brain Corp

Brain Corp is a team of robot enthusiasts that are focused on creating the world’s best AI software for building and using autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). The San Diego, California-based startup develops transformative core technology for the robotics industry. Founded in 2009, the company’s comprehensive solutions support builders of today’s autonomous machines in successfully producing, deploying and supporting robots across commercial industries and applications.

Robust.AI

Robust.AI, a California-based robotics startup, creates a new foundation for the future of robotics. The company runs around, automates some day-to-day tasks, and even converses with people on a very basic level. Robust.AI is engaged in developing a cognitive engine, which robots use to serve different purposes like manufacturing, healthcare, etc. Last October, the company secured US$15 million in a Series A financing round taking its total valuation to US$22.5 million.

Simbe Robotics

California-based Simbe Robotics builds automation solutions for shelf auditing and analytics. The company automates the most mundane, repetitive tasks in retail execution. Its product, dubbed Tally, performs the repetitive and arduous tasks of auditing shelves for out-of-stock items, low-stock items, misplaced items, and pricing errors. Tally operates safely during normal store hours alongside shoppers and employees.

ArcheRobotics

This United States-based robotics startup specializes in designing, manufacturing, and commercializing people-centric robotics systems across a wide variety of domains. ArcheRobotics’ goal is to create the ultimate robotics platform, supported by a strong business and market strategy. The startup can support and deploy solutions with its global technology partners while bringing the technical, industrial and academic expertise of its team.

Voliro

Voliro aims to provide innovative UAVs with unique capabilities. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, the startup is developing a highly advanced flying robot for safe and efficient work at height. Its powerful aerial robotics platform is supported by a strong ecosystem of applications delivered via its own and third-party capabilities. With its flying robot, Voliro T, Voliro works with inspection service-providers and asset owners.

Akara Robotics

Akara is a facility management robotics startup. The Dublin-based company is a spin-out of Europe’s leading robotics labs at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). Akara provides unprecedented speed, reliability and germ-killing effectiveness via its AI-powered robots to hospitals. The company’s end-to-end disinfectant system uses a patent-protected, state-of-the-art disinfection robot called ‘Violet’, which has emerged from nearly two years of collaboration with some of Ireland’s leading microbiologists at Trinity College Dublin.

Saildrone

Saildrone is a California-based robotics startup that designs and manufactures wind and solar-powered autonomous surface vehicles called Saildrones. Saildrones make cost-effective ocean data collection possible at a large scale. Saildrone’s patented wing technology was born from 10 years of R&D in pursuit of the land speed record. The company’s measurements and observations from above and below the ocean surface provide intelligence and insight for subjects ranging from maritime security to mapping and earth system processes such as weather forecasting, carbon cycling, global fishing and climate change.

Augmentus

Augmentus is a Singapore-based AI-robot programming platform. The company enables rapid robot programming at a small fraction of the cost of traditional robot teaching. Its no-code and fully-integrated robotics platform enable anyone – even those with no robotic experience or programming skills – to develop, deploy and re-purpose robotic systems in minutes. Companies using Augmentus have experienced up to 70% cost reduction and 17 times faster deployments across a wide variety of applications, such as spraying, palletizing, welding, and inspections.

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The future of robotics is anticipated to streamline robotic surgeons and telesurgery methods

‘Will you get surgery from a robot?’ is a question that still makes us unsure whether it is okay or not okay. If we snap out of the thought and look at it practically, robotic surgeons are already taking over the healthcare industry by storm. Many robots are of big use to the surgeon in both assisting and performing the surgeries. The future of robotics is anticipated to streamline robotic surgeons and telesurgery methods.

Alike how manufacturers rely on robots to reduce human errors, maintain product quality and nullify human loss, robotics in healthcare industry is alleviating fatigue while aiding procedures requiring great precision. Robotic surgery or robot-assisted surgery, allows doctors to perform many types of complex procedures with more precision, flexibility, and control than is possible with conventional techniques. Initially, robotic surgery was used to associate with minimally invasive procedures performed through a tiny incision. However, as technology evolved and the robotics in healthcare has reached certain extend of innovation; emerging trends like robotic arms, micro-robots are expanding the role of robots in the sector. Even though the high cost of surgical robots is a barrier to adoption, healthcare industry is still dedicating a part of its revenue to stay at the edge. The global market for surgical robots was valued at US$3.9 billion in 2018 and is anticipated to reach US$6.5 billion with a CAGR of 10.4%. With more healthcare facilities embracing robots for surgeries, the future of robotics in healthcare is expected to be behind many revolutionary changes in the coming years.

Like many other technologies, robotic surgeons also saw quick adoption in global tech leaders like the United States and Europe. Fortunately, when the benefits of robotics in healthcare came to light, many other countries followed the suit. The most widely used clinical robots in healthcare industry include a camera arm and mechanical arms with surgical instruments attached to them. When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out and barricaded doctors from free access to patents, the concept of robotic surgery, especially, telesurgery took center stage. The integration of robots as a shielding layer, physically separating the healthcare workers and patients were seen as a powerful tool to combat the omnipresent fear of pathogen contamination and surgical volumes. The da Vinci surgical system is the market leader in innovating and distributing extraordinary robots to perform complicated surgeries. With more companies emerging to leverage surgical robots with advanced technologies, the future of robotics will grow exponentially in healthcare industry.

Types of robots and robotic surgeries

Robotic prostate surgery: Traditionally, prostate surgeries were quite critical as they made a large incision in the abdomen of the patient and it took a long time for them to recover. Fortunately, with the help of robotics in healthcare, prostate surgeries can be made simple. Robotic prostate surgery makes use of smaller incisions to get the operation done and this leads to faster recovery for patients. Besides, robot surgeons also ensure that the blood vessels and nerves are not damaged in the process. They don’t put patients at a critical spot as the chances of damage to delicate areas are nullified using robots.

Miniature robots: The future of robotics in healthcare is expected to unravel more micro and nano technological solutions to minimize the damages knives and other surgical equipment cause. As a first step towards the goal, the healthcare industry is using miniature robots to perform surgeries at the peritoneal cavity. The two-arm robot is flexible and has multiple functionalities. Miniature robot surgeons offer scarless surgeries and can be used by inexperienced surgeons under the mentorship of veterans, expanding patient access.

Robotic gynecologic surgery: Gynecologic surgeries have to follow some hectic procedures that could harm women’s uterus and surrounding anatomy if done manually. Open gynecological surgeries have the standard approach of starting with large incisions in the abdomen. Unfortunately, this could cause significant pain, physical trauma, and take a long time to recover. However, robotic advantages have opened the door to laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy in gynecologic surgeries. For women, using robots to minimize the damage to their uterus is a good alternative.

Capsule robots: In addition to becoming a critical part of the operation theatres, robotics in healthcare can also be used for diagnostic purposes and drug delivery. Capsule robots are miniaturized endoscopes that can be manipulated via magnetic interactions, allowing for an untethered design with enormous freedom of movement. It also causes less tissue damage and fast accessibility.

The emergence of telesurgery

Robots have evolved; however, people still find it difficult to accept robotics in healthcare, especially, for critical procedures like surgeries. While there are lingering doubts on the future of robotics in the healthcare industry, the concept of telesurgery has streamlined, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. Telesurgery is defined as a surgical procedure carried out at a distance using robots and computer technology. Even though the first demonstration of telesurgery took pace in 2001 when surgeons in New York operated on a 68-year old woman in Strasbourg, France, the technology gained its importance in 2020. Besides the lockdown and inability to perform operations, the emergence of 5G technology has also contributed to the adoption of telesurgery.

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Today, we are at a stage where robot-assisted surgeries are opted by the patients without any fear.

Time and again, we’ve seen how drastically have our lives changed with the advent of technology. One such remarkable innovation that has changed our lives for better has to be “robots”. They are becoming prominent in possibly every field that one can think of. Hence, robots in the healthcare industry doesn’t seem to surprise anyone. Over the years we’ve seen robots assisting the doctors in performing surgeries. Today, we are at a stage where robot-assisted surgeries are opted by the patients without any fear.

Robot-assisted surgeries has helped doctors in a variety of stages, right from identifying the complexities within the body to help them execute even the most complex and critical surgeries. Doctors, are a blessing without a doubt, but with robot assisting them in every possible aspect, the results delivered come out to be neat and evidently showcase the precision that goes behind. Had it not been for robots making their way into the healthcare industry, the kind of flexibility doctors enjoy wouldn’t have been possible.

Gone are the days when a medical surgery was highly dependent on the opinion of doctors or surgeons. Today, we are living in the era that relies more on the opinion of the patient. This is one of those areas that has seen a paradigm shift in the medical industry. Earlier, a medical surgery was limited to the life of the patient and how would the patient recover. But today, there’s more to it. We have reached a stage wherein what opinion does a patient hold is of utmost importance. Their expectations mainly include –

1. The time taken to recover from the surgery should be less

2. The cost borne by the patient while undergoing the surgery should be less

3. The surgery should be minimally invasive.

The shift from what earlier was important to doctors to what is now important to patients is worth mentioning.

Medical sector’s bright future

Robotics has surely transformed the way we look at life. Healthcare industry has probably seen the best implementation of the same.

• Robots have made it possible to proceed with surgeries that are minimally invasive.

• They also ensure faster recovery of the patients.

• Infection during and after surgery is something that most patients are worried about. These technological buds ensure that there’s little or o infection.

• The future of robotics in the medical field is bright for the fact that there are companies across the globe willing to develop robots that’d revolutionise surgeries.

• Efforts are being put up to install miniature sensors inside the robot that’s further give information about the patient’s body.

• There’s absolutely nothing to worry as far as safety is concerned. This is because the companies plan to program the robot in such a way that there isn’t any accidental movement.

• A full-fledged plan is being prepared to automate the robots using deep learning. This would eliminate the necessity of the robots being programmed by engineers.

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning in robots hold the potential to detect patterns in the surgical procedures.

What are challenges faced?

• The cost of equipment that goes behind the robot-assisted surgeries is high. However, with the advancement in technology, the future can see reduced costs.

• Doctors need to be trained as to how to operate the robots to be able to assist in the surgery.

Are there any regulations to adhere to?

Well, humans commit errors and that is a universal fact. But, what if surgical robots commit a mistake? Are they answerable to anybody in that case? Well, the fact that so far all the robotic devices have been put to use under the supervision of surgeons hasn’t led to errors. What surgeons basically do is to program decisions into the robots based on certain calculations. These are then known as robotically-assisted surgical (RAS) devices.

So far, the world has seen these RAS devices being deployed to result in minimally invasive surgeries.

As of now, there isn’t any clear framework laid to regulate these RAS devices. Most of the organizations classify them as medical devices and to get an approval, the manufacturers will have to throw light on the benefits of the technology that’d outweigh its risks.

Now that we’re just a step away from entering into the world of autonomous robotic surgeries, the need for regulation is on priority. What everything boils down to is the fact that autonomic surgical robots are the future and that the regulators need to be ready.

Can robots replace doctors?

Without a doubt, robots will be the future of surgery. There would be some surgeries which the robots can perform all by themselves. But, there are some surgeries that require separation of tissues which cannot be relied on robots alone. All in all, surgical robots definitely hold the potential to change the surgical landscape in future but they cannot completely replace doctors.

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Robotics mergers and acquisitions in 2021 will be driven by necessity and opportunity.

The robotics industry is growing at a tremendous pace as the demand for robots has increased ever since before. Applications of robotics are not just limited to performing tasks in the manufacturing environment. Robots are now even being used at homes as assistants. Artificial intelligence, in combination with vision and other sensing systems, has enabled robots to master difficult tasks, along with compatibility at homes. Despite the COVID-19 induced crisis, 2020 was a busy year in terms of robotics transactions. According to The Robot Report, over 400 transactions worth a total of about US$26 billion in 2020, as of 21st December 2020, compared to 384 worth about US$45.8 billion in 2019. Conversely, around 60 robotics mergers and acquisitions took place in 2020, compared to 86 in 2019.

It is now expected that the M&A activity in robotics will accelerate in 2021 driven by necessity and opportunity. Analytics Insight has listed the top robotics mergers and acquisitions that have taken place in 2021 so far.

Accenture Acquisition of Pollux

Accenture, the leading consulting firm, has agreed to acquire Pollux, an industrial robotics and automation solutions provider. The acquisition has been made as part of Accenture’s strategy to boost its digital manufacturing, operations, and supply chain capabilities. It will expand the company’s capabilities for its clients in consumer goods, pharmaceutical and automotive industries seeking to make their factories, plants, and supply chains more productive, safe and sustainable. The financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

ServiceNow Signs a Deal to Acquire RPA Company Intellibot

ServiceNow has signed a deal to acquire Hyderabad-based robotic process automation (RPA) company Intellibot with an undisclosed amount. The acquisition deal comes at a time where companies are looking to automate workflows across the organization. According to Josh Kahn, SVP of Creator Workflow Products at ServiceNow, the announcement comes on the heels of the company’s no-code workflow announcements earlier this month and is part of the company’s broader workflow strategy.

Toro Acquires Left Hand Robotics

Toro, best known for its personal and professional mowers and various other landscaping machines, has acquired Left Hand Robotics, a robotic tractor/snowblower maker. The acquisition will support Toro’s strategy of leadership in next-generation technologies, including alternative power, smart connected, and autonomous products. Left Hand Robotics is a Based in Longmont, Colorado-based robotics company recognized for developing innovative autonomous solutions for turf and snow management. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Verizon Takes Mobile Robot Software Provider incubed IT

Verizon, a multinational telecom conglomerate, has acquired incubed IT, an Austria-based developer of autonomous navigation and fleet management software for autonomous mobile robots (AMR). According to Version, this acquisition further demonstrates its commitment to developing new and innovative businesses and use cases leveraging the power of 5G. Under this deal, incubed IT’s employees will join the Verizon New Business Incubation team.

DoorDash Buys Chowbotics, a Salad-Making Robotics Company

DoorDash, a San Francisco-based online food ordering company, has acquired Chowbotics, a robotics company best known for its salad-making robot, Sally. Chowbotics capitalizes on robotics to solve foodservice-related problems including compromised cleanliness and inefficiency. In an interview, DoorDash co-founder Stanley Tang said “We have long admired the work that Chowbotics has done to increase access to fresh meals, with its groundbreaking robotics product and vision.”

EndoWays Acquired by Ascendum

Ascendum Capital, a healthcare-focused investment platform, has acquired EndoWays, a developer of a disposable robotic system for the cath lab. The acquisition will provide EndoWays with access to the vast experience and network of the Ascendum team, helping stimulate its clinical and commercial development, especially in China. The Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Stryker Purchases OrthoSensor to Enhance Mako Surgical Robots

Stryker has announced the acquisition of OrthoSensor, Inc., a leader in the digital evolution of musculoskeletal care and sensor technology for total joint replacement. OrthoSensor quantifies orthopaedics through intelligent devices and data services that allow surgeons and hospitals to deliver evidence-based treatments for all healthcare stakeholders. Through this acquisition, OrthoSensor’s MotionSense remote patient monitoring wearables and mobile application, combined with the OrthloLogIQ cloud-based data platform, could enhance Stryker’s data analytics capabilities.

Teledyne Acquires FLIR for US$8 Billion

Teledyne Technologies has acquired FLIR Systems in a US$8 billion cash-and-stock deal to strengthen its product portfolio. The deal represents a 40% premium for FLIR stockholders. In a statement, Teledyne Chairman Robert Mehrabian said “At the core of both our companies is proprietary sensor technologies. Our business models are also similar: we each provide sensors, cameras and sensor systems to our customers.” Both companies make cameras, sensor systems and unmanned systems, among other products, but there is not much overlap.

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The world is moving fast in adopting robotics in war without addressing the ethical issues

Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, an Iranian nuclear scientist was driving on a highway outside Tehran with a security detail on November 27, 2020. A satellite-controlled machine gun ‘zoomed in’ on his face and fired 13 rounds killing him on the spot. Fakhrizadeh must have never imagined that his death would be caused by futuristic robotics in war technology, which further shocked the whole world.

The incident was just the beginning of advanced warfare robots’ performance in the real world. Before the killing, even when people were aware of autonomous weapons and robotic warfare technology, no one actually feared it. But the brutal attack shined a bright light on what a future war ground would look like. Artificial intelligence and robotics in warfare are nothing new for many of the world’s military. Already, the defense departments of many countries are using Lethal Autonomous Weapons System (LAWS) to enrich their military capabilities. But what is moving too fast is the development of robotics in war applications. They are becoming extremely sophisticated that at some point, people fear the concept of ‘killer robots.’ On the other hand, there is a surge in the usage of autonomous weapons which eventually leads to controversial debates on its ethics.

Why are we moving to robotic warfare and autonomous weapons?

Whenever we hear about advanced warfare robots, we might wonder if military personnel are not enough to carry out operations. Yes, in the digital world that is revolving around technology, army personals with advanced weapons are nothing in front of robotic warfare. The face of war is drastically changing. In ancient days, people used to fight with swords, but today, we are using army tankers and sophisticated guns. This is the evolution that we are experiencing with technology. Besides, humans are flesh and blood. We have health issues, conditions and most importantly, we get tired. These are some of the grounds that have given a reason for research departments to come up with advanced warfare robots. A study has unraveled the hurdles faced by human fighters on the ground based on demographic variables. The dataset contains multiple health and demographic features among patients in 2013. According to the dataset, the top three conditions that veterans suffer from are hypertension, lipid disorders, and diabetes. Besides, stress and hypertension also affect military readiness.

The surge of Lethal Autonomous Weapons System (LAWS)

Lethal Autonomous Weapons System (LAWS) are a special class of weapon systems that use sensor suits and computer algorithms to independently identify a target and employ an onboard weapon system to engage and destroy the target without human control of the system. Although these systems are not yet in widespread usage, it is believed that they would enable military operations in communications on degraded and denied environments in which traditional systems may not be able to operate. The attractiveness of such technologies is obvious and it will revolutionize warfare. Lethal Autonomous Weapons System falls under three categories namely munition, platforms, and operational systems. While concerns may be overstated for Lethal Autonomous Weapons System, when thinking about autonomous weapons platforms or operational systems for managing wars, it raises more important questions on ethics and algorithm. Caution and a realistic focus on maintaining the centrality of the human in decisions about war will be critical.

Touching the ethical pain points

Not just robotics in war, even in general, artificial intelligence is facing ethical challenges routinely. Humans have a thing called the sixth sense that decides whether it is right or wrong to carry out certain actions. Army personnel finalize whether to fire at a person holding a gun or not. But robotic warfare and autonomous weapons are different. They are programmed to fire at people who pose threat. This has led us to debate on the ethical grounds of robotics in war. Questions like who to blame when the autonomous weapon does anything wrong, what if robotic warfare doesn’t follow unilateral risk-free war conditions, what to do when machine discriminate, how to manage biased AI algorithm behind robotics in warfare, etc. are still unanswered. Henceforth, even the future of warfare is robotics, governments need to first clarify the controversies before moving ahead with the autonomous weapon.

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