Soft Robotic Deployable Origami Actuators for Neurosurgical Brain Retraction

Metallic tools such as graspers, forceps, spatulas, and clamps have been used in proximity to delicate neurological tissue and the risk of damage to this tissue is a primary concern for neurosurgeons. Novel soft robotic technologies have the opportunity to shift the design paradigm for these tools towards safer and more compliant, minimally invasive methods. Here, we present a pneumatically actuated, origami-inspired deployable brain retractor aimed at atraumatic surgical workspace generation inside the cranial cavity. We discuss clinical requirements, design, fabrication, analytical modeling, experimental characterization, and in-vitro validation of the proposed device on a brain model.

Emotional talk about robotic technologies on Reddit: Sentiment analysis of life domains, motives, and temporal themes

This study grounded on computational social sciences and social psychology investigated sentiment and life domains, motivational, and temporal themes in social media discussions about robotic technologies. We retrieved text comments from the Reddit social media platform in March 2019 based on the following six robotic technology concepts: robot ( N = 3,433,554), AI ( N = 2,821,614), automation ( N = 879,092), bot ( N = 21,559,939), intelligent agent ( N = 15,119), and software agent ( N = 18,324). The comments were processed using VADER and LIWC text analysis tools and analyzed further with logistic regression models. Compared to the other four concepts, robot and AI were used less often in positive context. Comments addressing themes of leisure, money, and future were associated with positive and home, power, and past with negative comments. The results show how the context and terminology affect the emotionality in robotic technology conversations.

Advanced Applications of Industrial Robotics: New Trends and Possibilities

This review is dedicated to the advanced applications of robotic technologies in the industrial field. Robotic solutions in areas with non-intensive applications are presented, and their implementations are analysed. We also provide an overview of survey publications and technical reports, classified by application criteria, and the development of the structure of existing solutions, and identify recent research gaps. The analysis results reveal the background to the existing obstacles and problems. These issues relate to the areas of psychology, human nature, special artificial intelligence (AI) implementation, and the robot-oriented object design paradigm. Analysis of robot applications shows that the existing emerging applications in robotics face technical and psychological obstacles. The results of this review revealed four directions of required advancement in robotics: development of intelligent companions; improved implementation of AI-based solutions; robot-oriented design of objects; and psychological solutions for robot–human collaboration.

Assessment of Cumulative Energy Needs for Chosen Technologies of Cattle Feeding in Barns with Conventional (CFS) and Automated Feeding Systems (AFS)

The increasing popularity of automated systems and the increased market share of producers of robotic feeding equipment for cows causes the need for a deeper study of energy demand in such technologies. This article provides an analysis of the inputs of energy accumulated in conventional (CFS) and automated feeding systems (AFS) for cattle. The aim of this is to determine the impact of robotic technologies for the preparation and feeding of fodder on the cumulative energy inputs. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of machinery and the equipment applied to the cumulative energy intensity in cattle farming facilities. The cumulative energy consumption for four technologies of automated cattle feeding (AFS) was tested and compared to the energy consumption for six technologies with a conventional feeding system (CFS). The research involved nine cow barn facilities for dairy cows and one for beef cattle. An evaluation has been made for cattle farming structures (milk and meat production) with various mixing and feeding systems for feeds of various concentrations, and keeping system (tied system and free-stall). The cow barns differed in feed mixing, feeding machinery, and equipment. Measurements of live labor inputs and the consumption of electric and mechanical energy carriers were carried out, and the mass of various types of machines and devices with software was taken into account, which became the basis for calculating cumulative energy consumption for individual technologies. The obtained average of electric and mechanical energy inputs for robotic technologies of feeding fodder (AFS) was 0.60025 kWh∙day−1∙LU−1(where LU means Large Animal Unit 500 kg), and it was 39.3% lower than for conventional technologies (CFS) where it was 0.989052 kWh∙day−1∙LU−1. However, taking into account all components of cumulative energy consumption, the average for the group of robotic technologies (AFS) was higher by 35.18% than for conventional technologies (CFS).

Assisted Living

I wanted to tell a story from the point of view of a data entry worker, someone not typically considered when the advantages and disadvantages of eldercare technologies are being assessed. The worker, remotely located and unknown to the people she watches, offers a perspective that points out some of the strangeness of watching from a distance a living person being injured, struggling, or just needing human care and attention. As we move into more widespread use of eldercare technologies, it’s worth considering how surveillant and robotic technologies to support independent elder living could change our relationships with and sensitivity to older populations.

Cost-Effective Remote Operated Vehicle

Remote operated vehicles (ROVs) are robotic submersibles controlled typically by a person at the surface of a water body. ROVs can be applied to surveillance, environmental, and data recording jobs or tasks. The vehicle design may be modified to remove or add additional capabilities depending upon the specific purpose of the ROV. In this paper, we explore using remote operated vehicles as a cheap and affordable water exploration platform. ROV’s high cost is a prohibitive barrier to entry, preventing widespread adoption of ROV for personal, research, and conservation uses. To address this problem, our paper explores a cost effective ROV with video capturing and directional control capabilities. Using state-of-the-art robotic technologies, a cost-effective competitive ROV is designed and constructed. This ROV was tested to a depth of 7 meters and has the potential to reach depths of up to 30 meters per its design.

Artificial intelligence in the service of man: medical, social and economic aspects

Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic technologies have recently been increasingly used in various areas of human activity. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to consider the medical, social and economic aspects of the use of artificial intelligence in various spheres of human activity. The reason for people turning to the above-mentioned innovations is to expand a number of human capabilities, increase labor productivity, reduce the negative impact of the human factor, etc. The social aspect of the use of robotic technologies should also not be underestimated. The economic aspects of the use of artificial intelligence and robotic technologies are the possibility of optimizing the number of labor resources, replacing a whole staff of auxiliary workers, which can significantly reduce the salary fund in general and the costs of a company using such technologies, in particular.