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August 1, 2022Brazil
August 1, 2022Robots in Healthcare
Robots in the medical field are transforming how surgeries are performed, streamlining supply delivery and disinfection...
AI teaches humans how to train robots
AI researchers have created a way for humans to train robots using cheap, freely available materials to scale training data collection. Developed by Carnegie Mellon University and Facebook AI Research, the Demonstrations Using Assistive Tools (DAT) is a new AI model that allows the display of training data virtually anywhere. This learning process starts with a recording of 1000 attempts of a specific action recorded by a camera that is then analyzed. The researchers trained a convolutional neural network coupled to a camera-equipped robotic arm with a two-finger grasping clamp. Their training method consisted of behavioral cloning and supervised learning. Ultimately, they added data boosters (characteristically different movements) to achieve higher success rates when tested in a lab setting. This type of learning opens the door for unlimited implementation possibilities in the medical field, especially in automation processes.(1)
AI researchers have created a way for humans to train robots using cheap, freely available materials to scale training data collection. Developed by Carnegie Mellon University and Facebook AI Research, the Demonstrations Using Assistive Tools (DAT) is a new AI model that allows the display of training data virtually anywhere. This learning process starts with a recording of 1000 attempts of a specific action recorded by a camera that is then analyzed.
The researchers trained a convolutional neural network coupled to a camera-equipped robotic arm with a two-finger grasping clamp. Their training method consisted of behavioral cloning and supervised learning. Ultimately, they added data boosters (characteristically different movements) to achieve higher success rates when tested in a lab setting. This type of learning opens the door for unlimited implementation possibilities in the medical field, especially in automation processes.(1)
Robot turns temperature screening into “feel good” experience
Misty is a programmable person-mimicking robot designed by Misty Robotics. Now entering the fight against the pandemic, the engineers at Misty Robotics have defined a new role for her: A temperature screening assistant. It is a unique, turnkey offering created for customers who want to screen temperatures at a point of entry to a facility but who likely do not have the specialized knowledge to implement a robotics-assisted platform. The Misty II Standard Edition includes a high-resolution camera for face detection and video recording, a built-in display of microphones for text-to-speech detection, SLAM (Simultaneous Localization And Mapping) navigation, a neural processing engine, and 3D imaging for AI and machine learning models.
Natural Language Processing (NLP) is used in the speech recognition process. The other features that already come with the platform make the hassle of getting your temperature taken into an engaging, interactive experience.(2)
Misty is a programmable person-mimicking robot designed by Misty Robotics. Now entering the fight against the pandemic, the engineers at Misty Robotics have defined a new role for her: A temperature screening assistant. It is a unique, turnkey offering created for customers who want to screen temperatures at a point of entry to a facility but who likely do not have the specialized knowledge to implement a robotics-assisted platform.
The Misty II Standard Edition includes a high-resolution camera for face detection and video recording, a built-in display of microphones for text-to-speech detection, SLAM (Simultaneous Localization And Mapping) navigation, a neural processing engine, and 3D imaging for AI and machine learning models. Natural Language Processing (NLP) is used in the speech recognition process. The other features that already come with the platform make the hassle of getting your temperature taken into an engaging, interactive experience.(2)
Nursing Homes Introduces Robot Caregivers
A Minnesota nursing home has begun operating two AI-powered robots as care helpers for those with dementia or early-stage Alzheimer’s. The Pepper and NAO robots, built by Softbank, a multinational conglomerate company, were customized by the University of Minnesota roboticists. The four-foot-tall Pepper and two-foot-tall NAO are set to encounter patients via conversation and observation. The human-shaped robots can estimate facial expressions, body language, and vocal styles while adjusting their faces and voices to emulate human interaction. The robots are programmed to remind residents to exercise and eat, leading them in dance and telling jokes. They will watch for changing habits of residents and even use “cognitive therapy” to encourage mental acuity.(3)
A Minnesota nursing home has begun operating two AI-powered robots as care helpers for those with dementia or early-stage Alzheimer’s. The Pepper and NAO robots, built by Softbank, a multinational conglomerate company, were customized by the University of Minnesota roboticists. The four-foot-tall Pepper and two-foot-tall NAO are set to encounter patients via conversation and observation. The human-shaped robots can estimate facial expressions, body language, and vocal styles while adjusting their faces and voices to emulate human interaction.
The robots are programmed to remind residents to exercise and eat, leading them in dance and telling jokes. They will watch for changing habits of residents and even use “cognitive therapy” to encourage mental acuity.(3)
Robotic assistance in spine surgery
The use of robotic systems to aid in surgical procedures has dramatically increased over the past decade. Robotic enhancement of surgical procedures continues to refine the field further and broaden its applications. In June 2022, Fusion Robotics’ spinal system obtained FDA clearance. The Fusion Robotics System, a 3D imaging navigation and robotic targeting system for spine surgery, is designed to improve spine procedural efficiency “with significantly less expense” compared to currently available robotic systems. Fusion Robotics has also helped create a navigation and implant placement system. The navigation system uses computer vision to aid in procedural visibility and structure recognition while navigating the spinal anatomy. Together with minimally invasive surgery, these two enhancements improve the quality and results of spinal surgery.(4)
The use of robotic systems to aid in surgical procedures has dramatically increased over the past decade. Robotic enhancement of surgical procedures continues to refine the field further and broaden its applications. In June 2022, Fusion Robotics’ spinal system obtained FDA clearance. The Fusion Robotics System, a 3D imaging navigation and robotic targeting system for spine surgery, is designed to improve spine procedural efficiency “with significantly less expense” compared to currently available robotic systems.
Fusion Robotics has also helped create a navigation and implant placement system. The navigation system uses computer vision to aid in procedural visibility and structure recognition while navigating the spinal anatomy. Together with minimally invasive surgery, these two enhancements improve the quality and results of spinal surgery.(4)
Modular Robotics: Prototype of a robotic arm
This photo shows an early design of a robotic arm developed to assist patients with spinal injuries in performing daily tasks. Much has changed; current motion-aiding devices have set grounds in AI to enhance optimization. Using funding and technology assets from Accenture Technology company, Intel’s neuromorphic technology, and algorithmic support from Applied Brain Research (ABR), an Israeli research team is confident in developing a wheelchair-mounted robotic arm that assists patients with spinal injuries in performing daily tasks. The device will be clinically evaluated and tested with children at ALYN Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel’s most advanced adolescent rehabilitation center. Studies suggest that wheelchair-mounted robotic arms provide users an increased sense of independence and reduce the need for caregiver time by up to 41%.
The real-time learning capability of Intel’s neuromorphic research chip, Loihi, shows the potential to reduce the cost of creating and operating such devices. By utilizing Loihi’s real-time learning, researchers predict they can implement adaptive control to enhance the arm’s functionality while using affordable parts that could reduce the cost by more than ten times.(5)
This photo shows an early design of a robotic arm developed to assist patients with spinal injuries in performing daily tasks. Much has changed; current motion-aiding devices have set grounds in AI to enhance optimization. Using funding and technology assets from Accenture Technology company, Intel’s neuromorphic technology, and algorithmic support from Applied Brain Research (ABR), an Israeli research team is confident in developing a wheelchair-mounted robotic arm that assists patients with spinal injuries in performing daily tasks.
The device will be clinically evaluated and tested with children at ALYN Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel’s most advanced adolescent rehabilitation center. Studies suggest that wheelchair-mounted robotic arms provide users an increased sense of independence and reduce the need for caregiver time by up to 41%. The real-time learning capability of Intel’s neuromorphic research chip, Loihi, shows the potential to reduce the cost of creating and operating such devices. By utilizing Loihi’s real-time learning, researchers predict they can implement adaptive control to enhance the arm’s functionality while using affordable parts that could reduce the cost by more than ten times.(5)
Service Robots the future of the robotics in health care industry ?
Service robots relieve the daily burden on healthcare workers by handling day-to-day logistical tasks. These robots set up patient rooms, track supplies, file acquisition orders, restock medical supply cabinets, and transport bed linens to and from laundry facilities. Many robots function autonomously and can transmit a report when they finish a task. Holding some routine tasks performed by service robots gives healthcare workers more time to focus on immediate patient needs and can help with improving job satisfaction. The TUG Robot by Aethon can navigate complex dynamic environments to safely deliver linens to nursing units on both a scheduled and on-demand basis. Assistance robots can also help with cleaning and disinfection. These Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) may use ultraviolet (UV) light, hydrogen peroxide vapors, or air filtration to help sanitize reachable places uniformly, decreasing Hospital-acquired infections. An AMR prototype developed by the start-up Akara is being tested for one of these routine yet essential tasks: disinfecting contaminated surfaces using UV light. Its goal is to help hospitals sanitize rooms and equipment, aiding the fight against COVID-19.(6)
Service robots relieve the daily burden on healthcare workers by handling day-to-day logistical tasks. These robots set up patient rooms, track supplies, file acquisition orders, restock medical supply cabinets, and transport bed linens to and from laundry facilities. Many robots function autonomously and can transmit a report when they finish a task. Holding some routine tasks performed by service robots gives healthcare workers more time to focus on immediate patient needs and can help with improving job satisfaction. The TUG Robot by Aethon can navigate complex dynamic environments to safely deliver linens to nursing units on both a scheduled and on-demand basis. Assistance robots can also help with cleaning and disinfection.
These Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) may use ultraviolet (UV) light, hydrogen peroxide vapors, or air filtration to help sanitize reachable places uniformly, decreasing Hospital-acquired infections. An AMR prototype developed by the start-up Akara is being tested for one of these routine yet essential tasks: disinfecting contaminated surfaces using UV light. Its goal is to help hospitals sanitize rooms and equipment, aiding the fight against COVID-19.(6)
Laser-Controlled Microrobots Small Enough for Injections
Microrobotics investigators have been working for decades in a seemingly hopeless attempt to miniaturize devices, a fairly common goal in the microelectronics field. Now, researchers from Cornell University are reporting in the journal Nature that they have successfully created millions of sub-hundred-micrometer walking robots that operate using conventional electronics. These robots are so small (about the size of a paramecium), that hundreds of them can pass through a hypodermic needle at the same time. The robots feature four electrochemical actuators as legs that connect the processing center constituted by silicon photovoltaics. Each robot has small photovoltaic panels that an external laser can target to give the robot control. The team can gain control of the individual legs of the robots, directing them and regulating their movement speed.(7)
Microrobotics investigators have been working for decades in a seemingly hopeless attempt to miniaturize devices, a fairly common goal in the microelectronics field. Now, researchers from Cornell University are reporting in the journal Nature that they have successfully created millions of sub-hundred-micrometer walking robots that operate using conventional electronics. These robots are so small (about the size of a paramecium), that hundreds of them can pass through a hypodermic needle at the same time.
The robots feature four electrochemical actuators as legs that connect the processing center constituted by silicon photovoltaics. Each robot has small photovoltaic panels that an external laser can target to give the robot control. The team can gain control of the individual legs of the robots, directing them and regulating their movement speed.(7)
How Cat-Faced Robot Mylo Helps Care for People With Alzheimer’s
Mylo is part of a growing number of robots and voice AIs that support people with health problems to live independently. There’s an actual demand for it too. According to statistical and marketing studios, more than half of all U.S. consumers want voice assistants in helper robots. A cat-faced Irish robot is helping cover the current market and care for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Mylo, the robotic partner, acts as a mobile AI, able to observe the health of its users and keep them in contact with their caregivers. CR Robotics founder Candace Lafleur conceived the idea for Mylo after having a stroke when she was 32. Mylo looks like an old television on top of a mini-fridge placed on a Roomba. The Mylo package evolves a mobile video call center, GPS tracker, and heart and general health monitor.
The cat-faced AI can comprehend voice controls to make phone calls and call emergency services on its own if it detects someone is falling or has an unusual heart rate. Mylo is a feline, and it has a simple reason the developers found that people felt more comfortable interacting with a robot with a cat’s face than with a human or artificial image.(8)
Mylo is part of a growing number of robots and voice AIs that support people with health problems to live independently. There’s an actual demand for it too. According to statistical and marketing studios, more than half of all U.S. consumers want voice assistants in helper robots. A cat-faced Irish robot is helping cover the current market and care for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Mylo, the robotic partner, acts as a mobile AI, able to observe the health of its users and keep them in contact with their caregivers.
CR Robotics founder Candace Lafleur conceived the idea for Mylo after having a stroke when she was 32. Mylo looks like an old television on top of a mini-fridge placed on a Roomba. The Mylo package evolves a mobile video call center, GPS tracker, and heart and general health monitor.The cat-faced AI can comprehend voice controls to make phone calls and call emergency services on its own if it detects someone is falling or has an unusual heart rate. Mylo is a feline, and it has a simple reason the developers found that people felt more comfortable interacting with a robot with a cat’s face than with a human or artificial image.(8)