Researchers at the California Institute of Technology have demonstrated a robotic platform for delivering drugs in the human body.
Neural Analytics partners with NGK Spark Plug to scale up medical robots
LOS ANGELES — Neural Analytics Inc., a medical robotics company developing and commercializing technologies to measure and track brain health, has announced a strategic partnership with NGK Spark Plug Co., a Japan-based company that specializes in comprehensive ceramics processing. Neural Analytics said the partnership will allow it to expand its manufacturing capabilities and global footprint.…
Artificial muscles based on MIT fibers could make robots more responsive
New MIT system of contracting fibers could be a boon for biomedical devices and robotics.
Programmable soft actuators show potential of soft robotics at TU Delft
Researchers at TU Delft have developed soft actuators that could help soft robots collaborate with humans.
4 Overheating solutions for commercial robotics
To prevent robots from overheating, engineers have a number of options, including some emerging technologies.
Piab’s piSOFTGRIP vacuum-based soft gripper handles delicate objects
The piSOFTGRIP from Piab is vacuum-controlled, comes with a stainless-steel fitting, and is made of food-grade silicone.
Innovative fingers hold promise for assistive robotics, prosthetics
A Canadian researcher has developed soft robotic fingers that use 3D printing to “tune” the rigidity of the fingers to make them both strong and sensitive.
Squishy Robotics releases mobile robots that can be dropped from aircraft in emergencies
Squishy Robotics has developed mobile sensor platforms that can be dropped from aircraft and detect multiple hazards for first responders and the public.
Snake-inspired robot uses kirigami for swifter slithering
A new programmable metamaterial using kirigami, the Japanese art of paper folding, can more efficiently change its shape to crawl, said Harvard researchers.
Reconfigurable soft actuator quickly transforms to multiple shapes
Mechanical systems, such as engines and motors, rely on two principal types of motions of stiff components: linear motion, which involves an object moving from one point to another in a straight line; and rotational motion, which involves an object rotating on an axis. Nature has developed far more sophisticated forms of movement — or…
3D Printing Soft Robotics with Embedded Sensors
One of the major challenges in the robotics industry is creating robots that are inspired by nature. This is no easy task, of course, and many of the major challenges associate with creating bio-inspired robots haven’t changed in years. Materials that couple sensing, actuation, computation, and communication must be developed before bio-inspired robots take off. And…
Study: artificial ‘skin’ could improve robot sensing
Researchers have found a material that can mimic human skin and improve robots’ sensing capabilities. Usually rigid semiconductor materials that create robots’ circuits limit the machines’ movement or sensing, either because they are not flexible or don’t permit electrons to flow efficiently. But the rubber electronics and sensors tested by a University of Houston team…
VBOTS announces new certified material developer program
New Valence Robotics (NVBOTS), the only provider of Built to Share automated 3D printing solutions, has announced the launch of the Certified Material Developers Program, which will enable material, polymer, and chemistry companies to test and develop new 3D printing materials. As a member of the Certified Material Developer Program, organizations can experiment with any […]
6 ways hydrogels are enabling medtech innovation
Hydrogels are water-based biomaterials developed specifically for human use, according to a Biomaterials journal article. They are a water-swollen polymeric material that doesn’t change its distinct 3D structure. They are formed from super-absorbent, chain-like polymers and are not soluble in water. However, their porous surface allows for nutrients and cell waste to pass through. They have shown the…
7 medtech stories we missed this week: March 31, 2017
This week we saw a few FDA 510(k) clearances and one of the 1st uses of a next-generation surgical robot in Asia. Here are 7 medtech stories we missed this week but thought were still worth mentioning: 1. Corindus touts first Asian use of next-generation robot Corindus Vascular Robotics announced in a March 31 press…
Transcript: How mechatronics is taking additive manufacturing to the next level
I think you would have to live under a rock to have not been exposed to the term “additive manufacturing.” 3D printing, quite honestly, there was somewhat of a hype bubble that has burst, but the good news is the market is transitioning from that hype hangover and really getting down to business and getting […]
Manufacturing lines are getting a little Blurry
3D printing is making a big splash in the market. There have been a number of variants of the technology that are driving very complex changes into the manufacturing landscape, and it’s making the lines of demarcation a little blurry. That’s intentional since the key value of printed parts is reducing the cost threshold to […]
Five keys to mechatronic success
by Steve Meyer, Contributing Editor Decades of exposure to the realities of keeping farm equipment running have provided FireFly Equipment with insight to the problems, and the solutions, needed to making highly automated agricultural machinery a reality. Forest for the trees? Sometimes we get too close to a problem and the big insights escape us. […]
Plastic strain wave gearing from igus for 6-axis robotics at lower price
For cost-effective, customizable robotic systems, igus has further updated the Robolink D modular robotic kit with new strain wave gearings in two installation sizes. The gearing, available as an individual component, or with integrated NEMA motor, consists of an outer ring gear and flexible, wear-resistant inner ring gear made from self-lubricating, wear resistant iglide plastic. […]
Innovative trends in robotics, Part 3
Our recent robotics trends webinar included three great speakers. Here’s the presentation from Mark Bunger. He is a Vice President at Lux Research where he and his teams work with client innovation strategies across industries and scientific and technology domain. He joined Lux in 2005 and has launched and led many of the company’s intelligence […]
3D Printing
The press continues to cover, dare I say, saturate the media with stories about the emergence of 3D printing. While the technology is extremely important, there is also a great deal of hype surrounding the subject. 3D printing is not the end of conventional manufacturing. 3D printing will not be in everyone’s homes, at least not […]
The Future of Additive Manufacturing
The buzz of additive manufacturing continues to make headlines. Additive manufacturing permits the fabrication of complex plastic and metal parts by starting with powdered materials. There are no cutting tools involved, very little waste and production time is in hours, not weeks, regardless of the complexity of the part. There are many variants of the […]