Daily Archives: May 1, 2024

It has been a year of firsts for Rutland Area Robotics.

Earlier this month, RARs high school level robotics team, the IBOTS, competed in the FIRST World Championships Einstein finale tournament after successfully winning their individual division. Both achievements are a first for the team.

The IBOTS and their alliance of three other teams ultimately placed fourth in a field of more than 600 teams.

We are very proud of the skills and passion that our team brought to the playing field. Our goal is to create excitement for science, technology, engineering, and math. Robotics team members are our future engineers, the people that will meet the challenges of an ever-changing demand for a highly skilled workforce, one that will drive the success of families, communities, and the economy, stated Rutland Area Robotics President and lead mentor Dan Roswell in a press release.

This year is the third in a row the IBOTS qualified for the international competition, which took place from April 17-20 in Houston, Texas.

FIRST, also known as For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, is a nonprofit organization that hosts a series of robotics competitions across the globe each year, all of which require competing teams to build a robot that can accomplish several tasks in a game setting.

Margo Thompson, a Rutland High School senior and IBOTS team member, shared that her team is the first in Vermont to reach the Einstein finale tournament playing field.

Last year, her team placed 15th in their world championship division, which did not qualify them for the finals.

If you dont get selected, your journey ends there, she said. Its a different environment when youre in that playoff bracket. Everything gets taken up a notch. The competition is now at its max stress level. Everythings really amped up. The crowds are going crazy. Every single match feels like the final match.

But it wasnt an easy road getting to the World Championships, according to Thompson. She noted that the team had to overcome setbacks and challenges throughout their FIRST journey.

Thompson said there was a moment of shock and awe when her team found out theyd be playing Einstein field, adding that even the announcer reading the names of states moving on to the finals seemed surprised when saying Vermont for the first time.

Its still unbelievable. If you think about it, a little small Vermont team (was able to) make global strides and rock the waves of the world. Its truly crazy, she said.

Despite the challenges, this year also marked the first that a Vermont team received the prestigious Impact Award while competing at the district and regional level.

The award recognizes the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the mission of FIRST, which involves positively impacting ones community and promoting STEM education.

In addition to the hard work of her own team, Thompson credited the alliances success and enjoyment to their collaboration with other teams.

We were one big family, Thompson said. Not only did we have so much fun playing with teams from all over the world, but we were a part of something that felt truly special. Thats a huge part of robotics, especially with wanting to learn and progress. If youre not having fun while doing it, thats going to pose a challenge.

Both Thompson and RAR mentor Matt Riley highlighted the dedication and effort of Roswell, noting that though he doesnt often take the spotlight, he more than deserves it.

(This program) would not exist without him, Riley said. Its Herculean. And hes got a very special type of personality that is detail-oriented and keeps him pushing forward. Without him, the robot doesnt get built (and) the accommodations dont get booked. Hes got his finger in all of it.

Though the IBOTS have wrapped up the FIRST season for now, it wont be long until RAR is back on the field.

RARs FIRST Lego League team, the Robo-Rattlers, will compete at an invitation in Rutherford, New Jersey, on May 18 and 19. The IBOTS will also participate in an off-season FIRST event at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in June.

Were showing everyone that Vermont is very capable. Were playing at the same caliber as everyone else. Were truly impacting everyone, even though theres only six (Vermont teams). We may be small, but we are mighty, she said.

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Rutland Area Robotics' IBOTS compete in FIRST World Championships finals for first time - Rutland Herald

The mechanization of agriculture during the industrial revolution and later in the mid-20th century Green Revolution dramatically shifted the capabilities of an individual farmer and how much land they could manage, according toAgritecture. From the cotton gin to tractors and combines, mechanization plays a major role in the abundant food systems we benefit from today. In outdoor agriculture nearly every process in growing is done using highly mechanized systems and increasingly are upgrading to more intelligent robotic systems.

Robotics, broadly defined, involves the use of machines capable of performing a wide variety of tasks and actions automatically. This includes machines that navigate spaces and manipulate objects often using sensors, actuators and computational systems that process the information and act on it.

These machines are classified based on their operational roles, including but not limited to:

The global agricultural robotics market is projected to grow significantly, from $13.4 billion in 2023 to an estimated $86.5 billion by 2033, indicating a compound annual growth rate of 20.5% over the forecast period. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for automation in agriculture, rising labor costs, and the need to meet escalating food production demands. The integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics in agricultural robots has led to the development of more sophisticated and intelligent farming solutions.

For more, continue reading at Agritecture.com.

Consider a Synergistic Approach To Disease Control in Peaches

Agritecture strives to provide expert advisory and technology solutions focused on enhancing food system resilience through climate-smart agriculture. See all author stories here.

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Robots on a Roll: The Future of Farming Is Here Now - Growing Produce

AI software company Micropsi Industries has launched MIRAI 2, the latest generation of its AI-vision software for robotic automation.

Building on the success of its predecessor, MIRAI 2 comes with five new features that enhance manufacturers ability to reliably solve automation tasks with variance in position, shape, color, lighting or background.

Available immediately, the latest release offers users even greater reliability, easier and faster deployment, and robot-fleet scalability.

Gary Jackson, CEO of Micropsi Industries, highlights the companys dedication to innovation through close collaboration with partners and customers across various sectors such as automotive, electronics and home appliances.

Jackson says: By integrating new features and capabilities into our offerings, we can address the unique challenges faced by these industries even more effectively.

In addition to new features, the company has introduced dedicated service teams to further strengthen its commitment to customer success.

Jackson adds: Recognizing the complexities of implementing advanced AI in robotic systems, weve assembled expert teams that combine our in-house talent with select system integration partners to ensure that our customers projects are supported successfully, no matter how complex the requirements.

MIRAI is an advanced AI-vision software system that enables robots to dynamically respond to varying conditions within their factory environment, including variance in position, shape, color, lighting and background.

What sets MIRAI apart from traditional vision solutions is the ability to operate with real factory data without the need for CAD data, controlled light, visual-feature predefinition or extensive knowledge of computer vision.

MIRAI 2 offers customers improved reliability thanks to the ability to detect unexpected workspace situations; a new, automated way to collect training data, and the option to run the software on the highest industry-standard PCs, resulting in higher dependability in rough factory conditions.

The new feature, which assists in recording the required data for training the robot, also means that training and deploying MIRAI 2 is easier and faster. In addition, with MIRAI 2 a force-torque sensor is no longer required for most applications, which means lower cost and more robust performance.

Moreover, MIRAI skillstrained guidelines that tell robots how to behave when performing a desired actioncan now be easily and quickly shared with an entire fleet of robots.

Five new functions available with MIRAI 2

The five new features that will be available to MIRAI 2 users are:

Robot skill-sharing: This new feature allows users to share skills between multiple robots, at the same site or elsewhere. If conditions are identical (lighting, background, and so on), very little or no additional training is required in additional installations.

MIRAI can also handle small differences in conditions by recording data from multiple installations into a single, robust skill.

Semi-automatic data recording: Semi-automatic training allows users to record episodes (of data) for skills without having to hand-guide the robot, reducing the workload on users and increasing the quality of the recorded data.

MIRAI can now automatically record all the relevant datausers only need to prepare the training situations and corresponding robot target poses.

No F/T sensor: Training and running skills is now possible without ever connecting a Force/Torque sensor. This reduces cost, simplifies tool geometry and cabling setup, and overall makes skill applications more robust and easier to train.

Abnormal condition detection: MIRAI can now be configured to stop skills when unexpected conditions are encountered, allowing users to handle these exceptions in their robot program or alert a human operator.

Industrial PC: The MIRAI software can now be run on a selection of industrial-grade hardware for higher dependability in rough factory conditions.

Ronnie Vuine, founder of Micropsi Industries and responsible for product development, says: MIRAI 2 is all about scale: Its MIRAI for more powerful robots, larger fleets of robots, and tougher physical environments, and it brings more tools to prepare for changes in the environment.

Weve let our most demanding automotive OEM customers drive the requirements for this version without sacrificing the simplicity of the product.

It still wraps immensely powerful machine learning in a package that delivers quick and predictable success and is at home in the engineering environment its being deployed in.

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Micropsi Industries introduces new AI-vision software Robotics & Automation News - Robotics and Automation News

Further enhancing the ease of designing, programming, and deploying robot cells while also equipping advanced users with more powerful programming tools.

MONTREAL , May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Vention, the cloud robotics company, released today a suite of AI-powered capabilities to its Manufacturing Automation Platform (MAP). These new capabilities, available immediately to the more than 4,000 manufacturers already using Vention, strengthen the company's position as the only end-to-end platform to design, automate, order, deploy and operate automated equipment and robot cells in the cloud.

MachineBuilder capabilities enhanced for robot cell design

The latest version of MachineBuilder, Vention's cloud-based 3D design software, brings forward the most comprehensive suite of enhancements over the past 36 months with more intuitive and smarter design tools.

Specific product capabilities include:

Robotic programming capabilities pave the way for complex cloud applications

The release of Vention's MachineLogic new code-free programming instructions further simplifies how users program robot arms and all adjacent devices in a robotic cell. Combined with the new scene asset functionality, developers can leverage their digital twin to accelerate the deployment process. Users can now program their robot in the cloud and deploy it directly to the factory floor.

Specific product capabilities include:

Instantly and securely deploy robot cells from the cloud to the factory floor

The inclusion of a new instant deployment functionality empowers robotic developers to transfer programs and machine configurations from a digital twin to a physical machine directly in the web browser. This new feature integrates with Vention's ISO 27001 and NIST-800-171 certified MachineCloud infrastructure, expediting deployment processes and facilitating a seamless redeployment from the digital twin to the real world without disrupting production.

Enhanced user interface authoring added to the cloud robotics platform

Vention adds web development tools and workflows to its cloud-based robot programming platform, enabling advanced users to create and simulate robot applications that contain feature-rich operator interfaces. This new release confirms Vention's commitment to providing an extensible platform that strives to meet the robotics industry's and its practitioners' evolving needs.

In addition, as a continuation of its commitment to the needs of its industry, Vention will publish the second edition of its State of DIY Industrial Automation Report on May 6 . Following its success in 2023, the company has decided to survey their clients again to understand better the trends unveiled last year, such as the emergence of Advanced Manufacturing Teams, the importance of platforming industrial automation and the preference for self-service and self-design.

Quote

"Th ose release s are all about the intersection of robotics and AI-driven design capabilities. Unlike traditional 3D design and offline programming software, Vention's Manufacturing Automation Platform is poised to leverage AI to simplify the design-to-deployment experience. With a dataset comprising over 365,000 automated equipment and robotic cell designs, each labeled with rich geometric data and metadata, and continuous investment in Vention's Geometric Reasoning Engine and Graph Neural Networks, the task of designing, automating, ordering, deploying, and operating robotic cells in the cloud has never been more seamless. And this is just the beginning." Etienne Lacroix , founder and chief executive officer, Vention.

More information at Automate 2024

From May 6 to 9 , visit Vention's booth No.2813 to see six machines in action and attend software demos and educational animations.

Company Founder and CEO Etienne Lacroix will speak twice on May 6 :

About Vention

Vention helps some of the most innovative manufacturers automate their production floors in just a few days through a democratized user experience. Vention's manufacturing automation platform allows clients to design, automate, deploy and operate automated equipment directly from their web browsers. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada , with one office in Berlin , Vention's 300 employees serve 4,000+ customers in five continents and across 25 manufacturing industries.

For more information, visit vention.com or follow us on LinkedIn .

*MachineBuilder, MachineLogic, MachineCloud, and Vention are trademarks of Vention Inc.

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SOURCE Vention

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Vention Launches New Cloud-Robotic and AI Capabilities to Accelerate the Design and Deployment of Robot Cells - InvestorsObserver

Visitors will have the chance to see the entire THE robot range, including the THE400, THE600, THE800 and THE1000. The line-up includes robots of different sizes and strengths, providing visitors with an opportunity to find the perfect model for their application.

Q&A with | TM Robotics

Shibaura Machine, formerly known as Toshiba Machine is a pioneering Japanese industrial robotics manufacturer. TM Robotics is the global premier distributor of the brand, and we represent sales and supply of Shibaura Machine for the North American market. We have over 40 years of experience in providing and integrating robots for a range of industries, this includes working with end users, as well as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and systems integrators by providing them with cutting-edge robots for their machines.

Automate is a crucial event for TM Robotics and Shibaura Machine, as it provides us a platform to showcase our latest industrial robots from Japan. With over 800 exhibitors and numerous networking events, Automate offers an unparalleled opportunity for us to demonstrate Shibaura Machines robot technologies to the North American market and to connect with potential customers and partners.

Shibaura Machine's booth at Automate, managed by TM Robotics, will be a must-visit for attendees due to its comprehensive display of THE SCARA robots. Visitors will have the chance to see the entire THE robot range on display, including the THE400, THE600, THE800 and THE1000. The line-up includes robots of different sizes and strengths, providing visitors with an opportunity to find the perfect model for their application. Whats more, the THE range is available with a variety of different additional options including ceiling mounting, IP65 and clean room models.

Shibaura Machine will also be displaying a THE400 SCARA and its TVL700 six-axis robot working collaboratively with a SICK vision system for handling and inspection applications. This demo will show how harnessing the synergy between robots and advanced systems can help to optimise industrial operations.

Absolutely. Automate is an excellent opportunity for us to see other exhibitors' offerings and new innovations in automation, robotics and related technologies. The show also provides a space for the team to meet with systems integrators and introduce them to the Shibaura Machine robot line up. We recommend that any OEMs searching for a robot integration visit us at booth 661.

TM Robotics, in partnership with Shibaura Machine, formerly known as Toshiba Machine until 1st April 2020, offers a comprehensive range of industrial robots ideally suited for high-precision assembly, machine loading/unloading and material-handling applications that can be dust proof, clean room, or IP65/67. The company's extensive product line starts with a Cartesian solution available in thousands of combinations from single actuators to four-axis solutions; six-axis solutions that can include precise vision-control; and a complete range of SCARAs from low cost to the industry-leading SCARA with 1200-mm reach that can carry up to 20 kgs. TM Robotics sells and services robots throughout Europe, the Middle East, India, Russia, and Africa, as well as North, Central, and South America, from headquarters in Hertfordshire, England and Elk Grove Village, IL, USA. For more information, visit http://www.tmrobotics.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Other Articles

The advantages of all-electric injection moulding machines demonstrate how automation and robots can help manufacturers bring their operations back home to the UK. Reshoring can be achieved with cost- and energy-efficiency as well as productivity benefits.

Here, Nigel Smith, CEO at TM Robotics, explains how the use of robots in injection moulding processes, including its recently-expanded 6-axis robot range, can help manufacturers embrace a bioplastic future.

Here, Ryan Guthrie, vice president at TM Robotics, distribution partner of Shibaura Machine, explains how advanced robot controllers can provide enhanced troubleshooting in smart factory settings while prioritizing data security.

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OnLogic Karbon 430 Fanless Rugged Computer The K430 packs the power and advanced IoT capabilities of modern Intel processing into a low profile, highly customizable, rugged fanless system built for the challenges of the IoT Edge. Internal components are protected from dust, debris, chemicals, and moisture thanks to fanless and ventless cooling. The Karbon 430 features an operating temperature range of -40 to 70C, 9~48 V power input, and zero moving parts, all of which help to ensure a long system lifespan.

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Talking AUTOMATE 2024 with TM Robotics | RoboticsTomorrow - Robotics Tomorrow

A Wilsonville High School team is teaching kids how to build a robot from the ground up with its members learning coding, confidence and comradery.

WILSONVILLE, Ore. Oregon is working on keeping its reputation as the "Silicon Forest," withIntel having just invested billions into its Hillsboro plants. Elected leaders are working on getting federal money for a research and development center, and efforts are underway in local schools to get kids interested in STEM careers.

One of those pathways is in robotics, and a Wilsonville High School team is teaching kids how to build a robot from the ground up.

This spring, Wilsonville High School's gym was packed with spectators, but it wasn't for a basketball game though there was some shooting involved, the contestants are robots built by high schoolers, and this is a three-on-three match, where human drivers control the robot.

In a match, you have 15 seconds where the robot runs entirely on code like, no humans are allowed to operate it, said mechanical lead Aasha Patel.

You have to think on the spot; you don't have a minute to think, added Lily Vu.

They want it to shoot hoops and score points, and the 125-pound robot, which took the team months to build, even has to climb a chain and hang there.

It's intense because everybody's robots are breaking; people are running around," Patel said.

Junior Suhaani Garg joined the team as a freshman, and she's come a long way since then.

I'm the overall lead, or the CEO of the team," Garg told KGW. Initially, I was hesitant 'cause when I did robotics back in middle school, I was kind of shunted aside ... I was the only girl on the team.

Now, Wilsonville High's robotics team is almost entirely led by girls, including the competition's robot driver, Vu.

Its like a second family to me, Vu said.

She added that there's something for everyone on the team, and everyone is welcome, no matter their experience.

If you're on mechanical, you learn mechanical skills, how to work with big machines. If you're with electrical, you learn wiring concepts, wiring organization, electrical and physics concepts. And then, with software, you learn JAVA," she said.

Patel agreed with Garg, that the work can be intimidating at first: On my first day, I walked in, and I was terrified.

But even as a freshman, Patel got to join in the robot build, and it's a big undertaking.

We work on designing the robot in CAD software; we fabricate parts on our CNC routers and our mills," she explained. "Students work on assembling the robot on making modifications and upgrades; it's really cool to see what they come up with."

One of the team's mentors, Zoe Espinosa, works as a mechanical engineer now, but she started on a robotics team at her high school.

It was one of the biggest motivations I had for pursuing STEM as a career, she said.

Espinosa said she loves watching the kids start from scratch and come up with a robot that can perform some pretty incredible stunts.

They don't know that they can do it. Often, when the game is released, they know that they just have to build a robot, Espinosa said.

For some of the kids on the team, it's about getting more diversity in STEM.

It really helps advocate for women in STEM because usually in engineering fields, science fields, it's male-dominated but here, this is a place where I feel like I can grow as an engineer, as a scientist, Vu said.

But it's much, much more than that.

I got to meet people from all different, like, corners of the earth, and I think that was so special to me," Garg said.

"That often goes way past the 2-hour and 30-minute meeting on a weekday, so we'll spend like up to like, 12 hours on a Saturday in the shop, working on the robot," Patel shared.

"I would not ever get tired of this place, Vu concluded.

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Inside Wilsonville High School's robotics team - KGW.com

The debilitating disease of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) leads to loss of mobility and an inability for patients to complete even basic tasks like lifting their arms, eating, or moving their hands. This brings great stress to patients and their caregivers. A team of Stony Brook University researchers is aiming to alleviate the many difficulties that accompany advancing ALS by using computer and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, mechanical engineering, and consultation by medical experts to create a Caregiving Robot Assistant (CART) for ALS patients and their caregivers.

The project is supported by three-year, $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Army. It is led byI.V. Ramakrishnan, PhD, Professor of Computer Science and an Associate Dean in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Stony Brook University. The multidisciplinary research includes faculty in Computer Science, Engineering, Nursing, the Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM), and clinical and support staff from the Christopher Pendergast ALS Center of Excellence in the Neurosciences Institute at Stony Brook Medicine.

We are in the process now of developing CART into a usable prototype for ALS patients and their caregivers, says Ramakrishnan. The technical innovation of CART is in the development of an algorithmic approach to manipulation planning based on the screw geometry of motion along with an approach to what we call self-evaluation, where the robot evaluates its competence in performing a task and actually prompts a caregiver to provide additional demonstrations, he explains, noting that this work is led by Nilanjan Chakraborty, PhD, a Professor and roboticist in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

The AI technology built within CART enables it to mimic how to do a task using the movements a caregiver provides manually as guidance. Crucially, CART will learn from only a few examples in an interactive manner by actively prompting the caregiver for demonstration examples as the robot needs, and thereby not overly burdening the caregiver. For example, a caregiver would provide how CART should move its robotic arms to pick up a spoon, and angle it exactly toward the patients mouth, or provide the steps to move a cup and empty it.

Additionally, because ALS patients needs change, and can change quickly, the program enables caregivers to easily train CART to perform tasks differently, or add new tasks as well. This adaptability aspect of CART is central to the project with actual patient use.

Patient Testing

Vibha Mullick, a Senior Web and Database Analyst in Computer Science and a team member on the project, will provide crucial consultation to the interdisciplinary group about CART in the areas of design, user-friendly aspect of CART, and functionality.

Her husband of 38 years, Anuraag Mullick, 64, has lived with ALS since 2016. He is treated at Stony Brook Medicines Chris Pendergast ALS Center of Excellence. Anuraag now has severe motor disability, limited range with his arms and hands, difficulty swallowing and speaking, and respiratory problems. Vibha is his primary caregiver. Together they will test CART as it is programmed and re-programmed and further developed into a prototype.

Coping with grief, fear, frustration and the uncertainties that come with advancing ALS is an ongoing challenge, says Vibha. We are hoping that by providing insight into just how effective CART can be for my husband as a patient and me as a caregiver helps to ensure this new technology bridges the gap between technological innovation and the lived experience of ALS caregiving. And we hope it will be great tool to improving the quality of life for Anuraag, and other ALS patients.

Anuraag had a long and successful career as a hotel manager and owner before his ALS diagnosis. He will experience and test CART with Vibha when it is further developed in the lab, and he may be able to use CART when at home.

Clare Whitney, PhD, and Maria Milazzo, PhD, in the School of Nursing will coordinate with Vibha to conduct the patient user aspect of the study. Simona Treidler, MD, of the Department of Neurology, along with Theresa Imperato, RN, of the ALS Center of Excellence, will recruit other ALS patients to try using CART as they assess patients disease stages and their needs.

Vibha hopes the team is able to push the technology to the point where integrating robots into physiotherapy is a routine program to assist Anuraag and other ALS patients with range of motion exercises.

While CART will be tested initially for ALS patients, it is ultimately being designed for any patient with acute or chronic locomotor disabilities.

The investigators believe that the ease with which CART can be trained, operated, and adapted to evolving patient needs will eventually usher in a new generation of assistive robots to provide reliable, round-the-clock physical assistance to people with severe locomotor disability and make caregiving much less burdensome.

Other research collaborators include C.R. Ramakrishnan in Computer Science, who leads the inferencing component; and Wei Zhu in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, the biostatistician for the project.

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On the Horizon: A Robot to Assist ALS Patients | RoboticsTomorrow - Robotics Tomorrow

Advancing obstetric and gynecologic surgery through robotic innovation| Image Credit: Summit Art Creations - Summit Art Creations - stock.adobe.com.

Robotic surgery can be used to advance techniques in obstetric and gynecologic surgery, according to a recent study published in Cureus.

Robotic surgery is defined by the use of advanced robot systems during surgery. These include robotic arms with miniature equipment and an advanced camera for improved precision and dexterity. Minimally invasive procedures can be performed with improved accuracy through these tools.

Gynecologic procedures that can benefit from robotic surgery include myomectomies, hysterectomies, and ovarian cystectomies. Obstetrical procedures that can benefit include cesarean sections and fetal interventions. Robotic surgery in obstetrics and gynecology can decrease trauma, blood loss, and hospital stays, as well as improve recovery times.

Investigators conducted a review to evaluate the evolution of robotic surgery in obstetrics and gynecology and inform providers and policy makers about the evolving landscape. Implementation of robot surgery in the field began with the da Vinci Surgical System, which allowed improved visualization, dexterity, and patient outcomes.

Changes in surgical management have been observed following the advancement of robotic surgery technology. Innovations ranging from Hippocrates' utilization of tin catheters to modern robotic systems have significantly impacted the transition to robotic-assisted surgery.

A major impact has been observed from robotic surgery on gynecology, with studies indicating increased safety and similar perioperative outcomes to traditional methods during robot-assisted gynecologic surgery. Compared to open surgery, post-surgical hospital stay lengths are significantly reduced by robotic surgery.

In hysterectomy, robotic surgery allows for smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, and faster recovery. The risks of complications are also reduced through robotic-assisted hysterectomy. Similarly, robotic-assisted myomectomy supports meticulous tissue dissection and suturing, enhancing surgical success rates and patient satisfaction.

During tubal renastomosis, robotic tools can be used for careful manipulation of delicate tubal structures. The improved precision and control granted by robotic surgery allow for a less invasive procedure, which reduces postoperative pain and recovery time.

The robotic platform also allows for improved dexterity and visualization among surgeons navigating complex pelvic anatomy during sacrocolpopexy. Finally, while robotic assisted laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is not directly linked to obstetrics and gynecology, it is often utilized concurrently with gynecologic procedures and is more effective when using robotic tools.

Visualization is a significant improvement offered by robotic surgery. Surgeons can confidently navigate complex pathways with the assistance of robotic tools, leading to greater precision and accuracy. Alongside improving results, this reduces the risk of complications. The use of steady robotic arms also eliminates the impact of surgeon tremors.

Currently, there are still multiple limits in robotic surgery for obstetric and gynecologic care. The cost of robotic surgery is significantly higher than traditional methods, creating a barrier for many patients. This cost is only heightened by the need for maintenance and calibration of robotic equipment.

Surgeons also must receive extensive training to effectively use the robotic tools, which can increase initial operative time and costs. Additionally, restricted availability has caused patient disparities in access to advanced surgical care.

Another significant advancement in robotic surgery is the implementation of automation in precise surgical tools for improved efficacy and precision. This innovation allows surgeons to focus on critical aspects of the procedure, while the systems facilitate tissue identification, precise instrument placement, and meticulous surgical technique.

Areas of improvement that have been given attention in recent innovation include adjustable stiffness, detectability, and bendability. These areas are given focus to reduce challenges associated with traditional methods, leading to improved patient outcomes and quality of care.

Potential future advancements in robotic surgery include miniaturization and micro-robotics, artificial intelligence, and telepresence. As these advancements bring ethical and societal considerations, the American Medical Association Code of Medical Ethics has provided guidelines to ensure safe, effective, timely, patient-centered, and equitable care.

Reference

Yadav P, Chaudhari K, Dave A, Sindhu A. Exploring the evolution of robotic surgery in obstetrics and gynecology: Past, present, and future perspectives. Cureus. 2024;16(3):e57155. doi:10.7759/cureus.57155

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Advancing obstetric and gynecologic surgery through robotic innovation - Contemporary Obgyn

The remarkable achievement of the PHS Robotics Team places them within the top 1% of VEX Robotics teams worldwide, showcasing their exceptional talent and commitment to excellence.

Plymouth Robotics Team 586E, comprised of talented students Freddy Kallenberg, Cora Hanes, Jonah Rich, and Chance Miller, alongside dedicated Coach Michael Wraight and Assistant Coach Daniel Kallenberg, returned triumphantly from the VEX Robotics World Championship held from April 25th to April 27th. The prestigious competition, spanning three intense days, hosted an impressive array of 820 teams from across the globe. Their division had other teams from across the US, along with teams from China, New Zealand, Turkey, Canada, Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic.

Team 586E soared to an outstanding 6th place finish within their division.

Throughout the competition, Team 586E not only demonstrated technical proficiency but also fostered invaluable connections with fellow robotics enthusiasts from all around the world, enriching their global perspective and fostering a spirit of camaraderie among participants.

Reflecting on the teams accomplishments, Coach Michael Wraight expressed immense pride in their achievements, emphasizing his confidence in their capacity to achieve even greater feats in the years to come. Their success serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring roboticists and underscores Plymouths commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in STEM education.

As Plymouth Robotics Team 586E returns home, they carry with them not only the accolades of their remarkable performance but also the invaluable experiences and friendships forged on the world stage of robotics excellence.

Article & photo provided. (Left to Right) Cora Hanes, Chance Miller, Jonah Rich, Freddy Kallenberg

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Plymouth Robotics Team 586E takes 6th place VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, TX - WTCA

Scientists have an impressive new trick for robots: using the invisible force of air to manipulate objects. A recent study from Aalto University showcases a unique method of controlling objects from a distance. This technique has the potential to revolutionize how we think about robotics, manufacturing, and even everyday tasks.

The fundamental concept behind this innovation is quite simple. Air, although invisible, is a physical substance with the ability to exert force. This force can cause objects within its flow to move. The key challenge was understanding and controlling those movements.

Researchers achieved this by carefully studying the interaction between air currents and objects of various shapes and sizes. With this knowledge, they were able to develop techniques to direct and manipulate airflow in a way that allows for precise control over the movement of objects.

Airflow or wind is everywhere in our living environment, moving around objects like pollen, pathogens, droplets, seeds and leaves. Wind has also been actively used in industry and in our everyday lives for example, in leaf blowers to clean leaves. But so far, we cant control the direction the leaves move we can only blow them together into a pile, said Professor Quan Zhou from Aalto University, who led the study.

To master the behavior of objects within an airflow, the scientists conducted a rigorous experimental phase. They exposed numerous objects to controlled air currents, meticulously recording their movements. This extensive dataset allowed them to identify relationships between the shape of an object and how it reacts to different airflow conditions.

Surprisingly, even within seemingly random airflow, the researchers discovered consistent patterns. These patterns became the building blocks for a control system capable of precisely directing airflow, enabling them to move objects in specific ways even against the flow of the wind itself.

The unique algorithm at the center of this technology serves as the brain for the entire system. Its primary role is to calculate and execute the precise movements of the air jet nozzle to achieve the desired object manipulation. Heres how it achieves this:

The algorithm requires several pieces of information to work:

The algorithm controls two motors that govern the air jet nozzle:

The algorithm strategically aims the air jet to manipulate the object. The nozzles positioning, along with the air pressure, dictates how the object will react within the airflow.

Crucially, this process isnt static. The algorithm continuously receives feedback on the objects position. It compares this to the intended path and makes micro-adjustments to the nozzles angle and position. This dynamic control enables the object to be guided along even complex trajectories.

In summary, the algorithm acts as a tireless conductor. It analyzes object data, sets the initial nozzle position, and then orchestrates a series of continuous airflow changes to nudge the object along the desired path.

One of the most surprising findings involved the wide range of shapes the system could manipulate effectively. Our intuition might suggest that a formless force like airflow would have limited control over objects, especially complex ones. However, the researchers discovered a remarkable level of versatility in their technique.

Regardless of the object placed under the air jet, whether it was a precisely defined geometric shape or a completely crumpled piece of paper, the system could successfully guide its movement. This adaptability suggests a deeper understanding of airflow dynamics and object interaction than previously anticipated.

It opens doors for potential applications in scenarios where manipulating objects with traditional robotic grippers might be impractical due to their delicate or irregular shapes.

While the technology is still being perfected, its potential applications are vast and promising. Professor Zhou imagines robots equipped with this innovative system, replacing traditional physical grippers with what he describes as ethereal fingers.

These are essentially directed currents of air that can manipulate objects from a distance. This would be particularly useful for handling delicate items that cannot withstand direct contact, such as sensitive electronic components, which could be damaged by conventional mechanical touch.

In everyday scenarios, this technology could transform how machines operate in common environments. For example, robots could utilize this air manipulation technique to gather scattered debris, such as leaves or trash, or to sort objects based on size or type without ever physically touching them.

The range of potential applications is extensive, especially in situations where traditional physical interaction could be problematic or potentially damaging. This could include environments that are sensitive, hazardous, or where contamination needs to be minimized, showcasing the technologys adaptability and utility in various fields and circumstances.

With additional research, the precision and efficiency of this contactless manipulation could skyrocket, opening up even more exciting applications for this natural, invisible force.

The study is published in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems.

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Robots can use air to move objects - Earth.com