The new CLOi ServeBot has four doors and storage space to automate deliveries. | Source: LG Business Solutions

LG Business Solutions USA Inc. unveiled its latest LG CLOi ServeBot yesterday. Model LDLIM31 is an autonomous service robot that can provide safe deliveries in hospitality and healthcare settings, it said. 

Introduced at the HITEC 2024 hospitality technology trade show, the latest CLOi ServeBot features a four-door design. LG said that the robot has ample storage space and that it can performs simple and repetitive delivery tasks to reduce the burden on staffers.

“Our newest service robot brings a new level of functionality and flexibility to the hospitality and healthcare channels,” stated Mike Kosla, senior vice president of LG Business Solutions USA.

“Featuring advanced platform technologies that include AI, communications, and control, the new CLOi ServeBot is going to help our hospitality and healthcare customers streamline their operations,” he added. “The introduction of a door-type service robot reinforces our commitment to constantly innovate in ways that bring meaningful new benefits to our customers.”

The CLOi ServeBot is designed for hospitality and healthcare. LG Electronics

LG Electronics widens its portfolio of B2B robots

LG serves commercial customers in the U.S. lodging and hospitality, digital signage, systems integration, healthcare, education, government, and industrial markets. The Englewood Cliffs, N.J.-based company launched its CLOi CarryBot in the U.S. earlier this year. The autonomous mobile robot (AMR) can move up to 1.2 m/sec. (2.6 mph) with 18 hours of runtime and a six-hour charge time.

According to LG Electronics USA Business Solutions, a unit of Seoul-based LG Electronics Inc., this latest offering bolsters its portfolio of AI robots and robot control systems.

The new system also aligns with the company’s plan to accelerate the expansion of its business-to-business (B2B) offerings, particularly in delivery and logistics services. 

In March, LG Electronics led the $60 million Series C round for service robot maker Bear Robotics Inc.

CLOi ServeBot LDLIM31 designed for capacity, stability

LG’s new door-type robot has four internal compartments, each capable of holding items weighing up to 30 kg (66.14 lb.). These compartments allow it to make multiple deliveries or collections at a time.

The robot’s cargo space can accommodate as many as 32 standard-size, 12-oz. coffee cups, explained the company. Users can also adjust the shelving according to the item or load size. 

Tailored for indoor hospitality and healthcare environments, LG CLOi ServeBot can use elevators, expanding operational coverage. The robot has six wheels with independent suspension to provide stability. This enables the LDLIM31to transport beverages over uneven surfaces without significant spillage, said LG.

For user convenience, ServeBot’s doors can be set to open or close automatically during operation. Using built-in cameras in its internal compartments, the robot can detect when items have been removed and the delivery is completed. 

The robot is equipped with algorithms that allow it to safely navigate around obstacles, determine the optimal route to its destinations, and communicate with up to 20 other CLOi ServeBots to maximize task efficiency and avoid potential collisions. 

CLOi ServeBot also has a front-facing 10.1-in. (25.6 cm) display that serves as a mobile advertising platform. Users can upload content for display via the LG CLOi Cloud Station for mobile and web use or the CMS mobile app.

The door-type CLOi ServeBot has won the 2024 Red Dot “Best of the Best” design award and the 2024 iF Design Award.

The post LG introduces door-type CLOi ServeBot for deliveries in healthcare settings appeared first on The Robot Report.

Medical device developers can now use RTI Connext and NVIDIA Holoscan. Source: Real-Time Innovations

Devices such as surgical robots need access to distributed, reliable, and continuous data streaming across different sensors and devices. Real-Time Innovations, or RTI, today said it is collaborating with NVIDIA Corp. to deliver real-time data connectivity for the NVIDIA Holoscan software development kit with RTI Connext.

“Connectivity is the foundation for cutting-edge technologies, such as AI, that are transforming the medtech industry and beyond,” stated Darren Porras, market development manager for medical at Real-Time Innovations. “We’re proud to work with NVIDIA to harness the transformative power of AI to revolutionize healthcare.”

“By providing competitive, tailored solutions, we are paving the way for sustainable business value across the healthcare, automotive, and industrial sectors, marking an important step toward a future where technology enhances the quality of life and drives innovation,” he added.

Founded in 1991, Real-Time Innovations claimed that it has 2,000 customer designs and that its software runs more than 250 autonomous vehicle programs, controls North America’s largest power plants, and integrates over 400 defense programs. The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company said its systems also support next-generation medical technologies and surgical robots, Canada’s air traffic control, and NASA’s launch-control systems.

RTI Connext designed to reliably distribute data

The RTI Connext software framework enables users to build intelligent distributed systems that combine advanced sensing, fast control, and artificial intelligence algorithms, said Real-Time Innovations. This can help developers bring capable systems to market faster, it said.

“Connext facilitates interoperable and real-time communication for complex, intelligent systems in the healthcare industry and beyond,” according to RTI. It is based on the Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard and has been proven across industries to reliably communicate data, the company said.

Product teams can now efficiently build and deploy AI-enabled applications and distributed systems that require low-latency and reliable data sharing for sensor and video processing. Connext, which is available for free trials, allows applications to work together as one, said RTI.

NVIDIA Holoscan gets advanced data flows

RTI Connext provides a connectivity framework for the NVIDIA Holoscan software development kit (SDK), offering integration across various systems and sensors to complement its AI capabilities. 

“Enterprises are looking for advanced software-defined architectures that deliver on low latency, flexibility, reliability, scalability, and cybersecurity,” said David Niewolny, director of business development for healthcare and medical at NVIDIA. “With RTI Connext and NVIDIA Holoscan, medical technology developers can accelerate their software-defined product visions by leveraging infrastructure purpose-built for healthcare applications.”

Connext now integrates with NVIDIA’s AI sensor-processing pipelines and reference workflows, bolstering data flows and real-time AI processing across a system of systems. With capabilities for real-time visualization and data-driven insights, the technologies can help drive more precise and automated minimally invasive procedures, clinical monitoring, and next-generation medical imaging platforms. They can also help developers create smarter, integrated systems across industries, said the partners.

NVIDIA said Holoscan offers the software and hardware needed to build AI applications and deploy sensor-processing capabilities from edge to cloud. This can help companies explore new capabilities, accelerate time to market, and lower costs, said the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company.

NVIDIA Holoscan now supports interoperability with a wide range of legacy systems, such as Windows-based medical devices, real-time operating system nodes in surgical robots, and patient-monitoring systems, through RTI Connext.

The post RTI Connext to deliver real-time data connectivity to NVIDIA Holoscan appeared first on The Robot Report.

Organization: Glidance Inc.
Country: U.S.
Website: https://glidance.io/
Year Founded: 2023
Number of Employees: 2-10
Innovation Class: Application

In the U.S., around 1 million adults are blind. Yet, only 2% to 8% use a white cane for navigation. Most instead rely on guide dogs or sighted companions, according to the Perkins School for the Blind. This reliance limits independence and mobility, a challenge that Glidance, winner of the 2023 RoboBusiness Pitchfire Competition, aims to address through robotics.

The company’s flagship product, Glide, offers autonomous mobility assistance for the visually impaired. It incorporates advanced guiding technologies and a unique mechanical design to foster independence.

Glide’s innovation provides haptic and audio feedback for safety. The product has garnered praise from industry experts, particularly for its potential to serve an underserved market segment. CEO Amos Miller, himself blind, brings a firsthand perspective to Glidance’s mission.

The Seattle-based company plans to sell the device for about the cost of a new cell phone. It will also offer subscription plans that enable feature updates and options that will make Glide easily configurable for each user’s needs.

With a battery life of up to eight hours and quick user adaptation, Glide promises to revolutionize mobility for the visually impaired. Founded by Miller and Mike Sinclair, Glidance represents hope for those seeking greater freedom and autonomy in navigating the world.

Miller noted that more than 50,000 individuals lose their sight every year, yet worldwide there are only 10,000 working guide dogs any year. This leaves a huge gap and providing the opportunity for a device like Glide to make a huge difference in users’ lives. It can cost up to $50,000 annually to train and care for a guide dog throughout its working lifetime with a person who is blind.

Register now.

Explore the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2024.

RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2024

The post RBR50 Spotlight: Glidance provides independence to visually impaired individuals appeared first on The Robot Report.

The Carina surgical robot platform. | Source: Ronovo Surgical

Ronovo Surgical this week announced that it has closed a Series B funding round worth $44 million to commercialize its Carina Platform in the Chinese market and prepare for international expansion. The Shanghai-based company has developed technologies for soft-tissue procedures.

Shanghai-based Ronovo aims to use the funds to accelerate the commercialization of the proprietary Carina platform. It hopes to bring the robot to the Chinese market and set the stage for international expansion.

Carina is configurable for multiple procedures

Ronovo Surgical said it built Carina to enable configurable robotic assistance for laparoscopic surgeries across multiple specialties. The company developed the modular system with experienced Chinese laparoscopic surgeons.

Carina addresses numerous pain points in minimally invasive surgeries. Ronovo claimed that it provides surgeons with the flexibility to choose the best instruments and the most ideal anatomical access.

Surgeons can flexibly configure the systems to optimize anatomical reach and access, as well as surgical workflow. Carina has up to five bedside modules, which can be adjusted depending on the needs of the procedure.

“Taking Carina from concept design to completion of human clinical trial in three years is the result of our clinical-driven approach toward engineering, practicality in design decisions and the remarkable dedication of our team,” said Ying Mao, chief technology officer and chief operating officer of Ronovo Surgical. “Along the way, we built out a multi-product portfolio that features surgical robotics, functional vision, and a full suite of surgical instrumentation – backed by more than 100 patent applications.”

Ronovo recently completed a clinical trial that included urology, gynecology, thoracic, and general surgery patients. The company now expects to obtain regulatory approval in China and begin commercialization in early 2025. It also plans to build a 130,000-sq.-ft. (12,077 sq. m) facility to support its launch efforts.

In addition, Ronovo recently launched its first international site — the Ronovo Institute of Surgical Excellence (RISE) in Orlando, Fla. The company said it established RISE to deepen clinical collaboration with top international surgical experts and medical societies.

Investment, innovation focus on Ronovo expansion

Guolian Capital and INCE Capital co-led Ronovo Surgical’s latest round, with participation from King Star Med and existing shareholder LongRiver Investments.

“Securing this round of financing from such an esteemed group of investors, despite challenging capital market conditions, is a significant acknowledgment of our vision, mission, and the execution of the team,” said John Ma, CEO of Ronovo Surgical. “Our innovation efforts for developing Carina have been laser-focused on expanding its application across multiple specialties, reducing the learning curve, and improving cost-effectiveness.”

Last September, the company raised $26 million, adding to a February round that came along with the unveiling of the Carina platform.

Editor’s note: This article is syndicated from The Robot Report sibling site MassDevice.

The post Ronovo Surgical closes Series B round for Carina modular platform appeared first on The Robot Report.

The Misso robot will help surgeons with personalized pre-planning and precise cutting for joint replacement. | Source: Meril

Meril Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. this week unveiled its Misso surgical robot for simplifying orthopedic procedures.

The India-based company announced on LinkedIn that it is developing surgical robot for total knee procedures. It said it designed Misso to help surgeons with personalized pre-planning and precise cutting for joint replacements.

Misso has an optical tracking sensor, a six-axis articulated robotic arm, and “superior” safety systems, claimed Meril. The surgical robot can help physicians perform real-time gap checks and modify a surgical plan intraoperatively, it explained.

Various cutting options are available on the Misso, including full and partial cutting based on surgeon preference. Cutting guides are not required, and the system can perform a tibial cut and a fully finished femur with all the cuts, including peg holes, according to the company.

Misso includes safety features

Meril designed Misso with bone-movement monitoring to ensure safety during procedures. If bone movement is observed, the resection process stops.

The resection will continue with automatic recovery of the bone position. If the robotic system’s tools contact the patient or other object, the collaborative robot arm will immediately stop moving.

Misso uses optical tracking-based navigation and robotic assistance to ensure accurate results in shaping and aligning artificial knee joint components. The company aims to improve post-operative outcomes, reduce complications, and promote faster patient recovery.

Meril joins competitive surgical robot market

Founded in 2006, Meril said it is dedicated to the innovation, design, and development of novel, clinically relevant devices. Its product portfolio includes vascular intervention devices, orthopedic implants, robotics, endo-surgery, ENT products, and in-vitro diagnostics. 

The company has joined the growing surgical robotics market, where it will compete with orthopedic surgical robot developers such as Stryker and Zimmer Biomet. Stryker launched its its Mako surgical robot in 2017 and introduced a joint-replacement offering in February 2024.

Also in February, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared Zimmer Biomet’s Rosa surgical robotic platform for shoulder and hip replacement procedures. The FDA had cleared it for partial knee replacement for partial knee replacement in April 2021.

Editor’s note: This article is syndicated from The Robot Report sibling site MassDevice.

The post Meril says Misso robot can simplify orthopedic surgeries appeared first on The Robot Report.

Healthcare Robotics Catalyst Startup cohort member Able Innovations showed its Alta Platform for patient handling at the 2024 Robotics Summit & Expo. Source: MassRobotics

BOSTON — MassRobotics yesterday announced that the Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst Program is open for applications for its fourth cohort for 2024 to 2025. The initiative aims to accelerate innovation and adoption in the healthcare robotics sector by providing startups with the resources, mentorship, and connections necessary for success.

“We are thrilled to announce the opening of applications for the fourth cohort of the Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst Program,” stated Juan Necochea, director of strategic partnerships at MassRobotics. “This program, established and gaining continued momentum, reflects our shared commitment to fostering innovation and supporting startups positioned to revolutionize healthcare through robotics technology.”

The program supports startups by offering resources to foster growth and success. Its focus areas this year include clinical care, pharmaceutical and hospital automation, laboratory automation, and precision and regenerative medicine.

The Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst Program also focuses on point-of-care systems, rehabilitation, assistive technologies for improved quality of life and continuity of work, and training and support for healthcare professionals.

Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst features

MassRobotics and its partners listed the following benefits for participating startups:

• Mentorship and guidance: Senior professionals at top companies provide expert mentorship and introductions to leaders from the robotics ecosystem, depending on participants’ strategic objectives.
• Resource access: Startups gain access to loaner components with design and engineering guidance.
• Networking opportunities: Catalyst companies receive introductions to key players in the healthcare robotics space, potential customers, and strategic partners, including pitching opportunities to MassRobotics’ venture capital and investor ecosystem.
• Strategic medical guidance: Each cohort can speak with experienced medical professionals, ensuring that their technologies align with real-world healthcare needs, ethical standards, and patient safety considerations.
• Educational workshops: The program provides access to courses on critical topics, such as Food and Drug Administration approval processes, cybersecurity requirements, and other regulatory mandates, tailored to the cohort’s interests and goals.
• Showcase opportunities: Each cohort startup will have an opportunity to present its system at the Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston, as well as to the Healthcare Robotics Working Group. These live events provide booth space for product demonstrations and a stage to pitch their solutions to a live audience, offering valuable exposure and networking opportunities.

Cohort member Cobionix showed its robot arm for healthcare uses at the Robotics Summit & Expo. Source: MassRobotics

Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst process begins

The Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst Program is open to startups with at least a working prototype at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or above. Applications will be accepted until Nov. 1, 2024, with the program set to begin at the end of that month.

Selected startups will be announced in mid-November 2024. The program invites startups of all sizes and maturity to apply, ensuring a broad range of entrepreneurs can benefit from the program.

“I am extremely delighted to see this program evolve and expand into new areas of healthcare technologies,” said Nuzha Yakoob. She is former head of technology and innovation at Festo, founder of yaxxoo Inc., and a founding member of the Healthcare Robotics Catalyst Program.

“Our intent is to enable more startups to bring their brilliant innovations to market, improving the quality of healthcare for patients and augmenting healthcare workers,” Yakoob said.

Startups worldwide are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this unique opportunity to accelerate their growth and impact in the healthcare robotics field. For more details and to apply, visit MassRobotics Healthcare Robotics Catalyst Program.

Supporters and participants of the 2023-2024 Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst Program. Source: MassRobotics

Previous cohorts share success stories

Startups from previous Healthcare Catalyst cohorts have achieved remarkable milestones, including penetrating new markets, securing funding, and establishing strategic partnerships.

Kingston, Ontario-based Kinarm offers neuroscientists and clinicians precise and consistent insights into neurological assessments. 

“The mentorship we received from Festo was invaluable,” said Anne Vivian-Scott, president and CEO of Kinarm. “They helped us address real-time technological challenges within a broader market context, steering us toward mass-market solutions rather than a DIY [do-it-yourself] approach, and they demonstrated genuine care for our personal growth and business development. It’s been a fantastic return on investment that will yield dividends for years to come!”

Guy Altagar, CEO of Unlimited Robotics, shared his enthusiasm for the initiative. His company, which has offices in Boston and Petah Tikva, Israel, offers Gary, a service robot designed to help software developers build applications for healthcare, retail, nursing homes, and hospitality.

“The program was a game-changer for Unlimited Robotics,” he asserted. “Their mentorship, resources, and industry connections helped us refine our technology and navigate the healthcare market like never before. We’re incredibly grateful for their support and excited to make a real difference in the future of healthcare.”

Robot on Rails (RoR) has developed a system to make implementing automation easier for laboratories. “Participating in the MassRobotics program was a game-changer for Robot on Rails,” added Chase Olle, founder of RoR.

“Their unwavering support, invaluable guidance, and access to industry experts propelled us towards the successful deployment of our Phase 1 robot at HelixNano,” he said. “Through MassRobotics, we gained crucial networking opportunities and mentorship from esteemed experts at Festo and Mitsubishi Electric.”

Acumino has been developing capabilities for robots to learn skills faster, cheaper, and in a more scalable way. The Renton, Wash.-based company recently finalized its seed round and raised $6.5 million.

“We are proud participants of MassRobotics’ Healthcare Robotics Catalyst program,” said Tom White, founder and chief operating officer at Acumino. “Not only did we gain profound insights into our company’s potential within the healthcare landscape, but our mentors have continued to guide us, providing invaluable advice and support. We wholeheartedly endorse this program for robotics companies seeking success in the healthcare sector.”

MassRobotics partners provide guidance, encouragement

MassRobotics, which supports the Massachusetts robotics ecosystem, has partnered with Festo, Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Novanta, and MITRE. They expressed their support of the ongoing collaboration.

“It has been a pleasure to work together with the outstanding startups of this program,” said Johannes Linzbach, head of the Festo Research Hub Boston. “I am looking forward to the next cohort to connect with tech startups in our expanded scope—lab automation and biotech automation!”

William Nguyen, development manager at Mitsubishi Electric Automation, added: “We are looking forward to collaborating and mentoring potential startup companies for innovative solutions and cutting-edge automation technologies in the healthcare industry.” 

“We welcome this partnership opportunity to all startups that are engaging with important healthcare robotics challenges,” said Elliot Helms, mechatronics research and development manager at Novanta. “In alignment with Novanta’s mission to deliver ‘innovations that matter,’ we are proud to collaborate with and mentor teams that are advancing the state of the art and improving people’s lives.”

Russ Graves, director of bridging innovation at MITRE, stated that “as a connector between government, industry, and academia, we’re proud to join MassRobotics, Festo, Mitsubishi Electric, and Novanta to help startups overcome traditional barriers to entry and accelerate their robotic solutions for healthcare.”

Editor’s note: WTWH Media, which produces The Robot Report and the Robotics Summit & Expo, is also a partner of MassRobotics.

The post Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst calls for fourth cohort of applications appeared first on The Robot Report.

As shown at CVPR, Omniverse Cloud Sensor RTX microservices generate high-fidelity sensor simulation from
an autonomous vehicle (left) and an autonomous mobile robot (right). Sources: NVIDIA, Fraunhofer IML (right)

NVIDIA Corp. today announced NVIDIA Omniverse Cloud Sensor RTX, a set of microservices that enable physically accurate sensor simulation to accelerate the development of all kinds of autonomous machines.

NVIDIA researchers are also presenting 50 research projects around visual generative AI at the Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, or CVPR, conference this week in Seattle. They include new techniques to create and interpret images, videos, and 3D environments. In addition, the company said it has created its largest indoor synthetic dataset with Omniverse for CVPR’s AI City Challenge.

Sensors provide industrial manipulators, mobile robots, autonomous vehicles, humanoids, and smart spaces with the data they need to comprehend the physical world and make informed decisions.

NVIDIA said developers can use Omniverse Cloud Sensor RTX to test sensor perception and associated AI software in physically accurate, realistic virtual environments before real-world deployment. This can enhance safety while saving time and costs, it said.

“Developing safe and reliable autonomous machines powered by generative physical AI requires training and testing in physically based virtual worlds,” stated Rev Lebaredian, vice president of Omniverse and simulation technology at NVIDIA. “Omniverse Cloud Sensor RTX microservices will enable developers to easily build large-scale digital twins of factories, cities and even Earth — helping accelerate the next wave of AI.”

Omniverse Cloud Sensor RTX supports simulation at scale

Built on the OpenUSD framework and powered by NVIDIA RTX ray-tracing and neural-rendering technologies, Omniverse Cloud Sensor RTX combines real-world data from videos, cameras, radar, and lidar with synthetic data.

Omniverse Cloud Sensor RTX includes software application programming interfaces (APIs) to accelerate the development of autonomous machines for any industry, NVIDIA said.

Even for scenarios with limited real-world data, the microservices can simulate a broad range of activities, claimed the company. It cited examples such as whether a robotic arm is operating correctly, an airport luggage carousel is functional, a tree branch is blocking a roadway, a factory conveyor belt is in motion, or a robot or person is nearby.

Microservice to be available for AV development 

CARLA, Foretellix, and MathWorks are among the first software developers with access to Omniverse Cloud Sensor RTX for autonomous vehicles (AVs). The microservices will also enable sensor makers to validate and integrate digital twins of their systems in virtual environments, reducing the time needed for physical prototyping, said NVIDIA.

Omniverse Cloud Sensor RTX will be generally available later this year. NVIDIA noted that its announcement coincided with its first-place win at the Autonomous Grand Challenge for End-to-End Driving at Scale at CVPR.

The NVIDIA researchers’ winning workflow can be replicated in high-fidelity simulated environments with Omniverse Cloud Sensor RTX. Developers can use it to test self-driving scenarios in physically accurate environments before deploying AVs in the real world, said the company.

Two of NVIDIA’s papers — one on the training dynamics of diffusion models and another on high-definition maps for autonomous vehicles — are finalists for the Best Paper Awards at CVPR.

The company also said its win for the End-to-End Driving at Scale track demonstrates its use of generative AI for comprehensive self-driving models. The winning submission outperformed more than 450 entries worldwide and received CVPR’s Innovation Award.

Collectively, the work introduces artificial intelligence models that could accelerate the training of robots for manufacturing, enable artists to more quickly realize their visions, and help healthcare workers process radiology reports.

“Artificial intelligence — and generative AI in particular — represents a pivotal technological advancement,” said Jan Kautz, vice president of learning and perception research at NVIDIA. “At CVPR, NVIDIA Research is sharing how we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible — from powerful image-generation models that could supercharge professional creators to autonomous driving software that could help enable next-generation self-driving cars.”

Foundation model eases object pose estimation

NVIDIA researchers at CVPR are also presenting FoundationPose, a foundation model for object pose estimation and tracking that can be instantly applied to new objects during inference, without the need for fine tuning. The model uses either a small set of reference images or a 3D representation of an object to understand its shape. It set a new record on a benchmark for object pose estimation.

FoundationPose can then identify and track how that object moves and rotates in 3D across a video, even in poor lighting conditions or complex scenes with visual obstructions, explained NVIDIA.

Industrial robots could use FoundationPose to identify and track the objects they interact with. Augmented reality (AR) applications could also use it with AI to overlay visuals on a live scene.

NeRFDeformer transforms data from a single image

NVIDIA’s research includes a text-to-image model that can be customized to depict a specific object or character, a new model for object-pose estimation, a technique to edit neural radiance fields (NeRFs), and a visual language model that can understand memes. Additional papers introduce domain-specific innovations for industries including automotive, healthcare, and robotics.

A NeRF is an AI model that can render a 3D scene based on a series of 2D images taken from different positions in the environment. In robotics, NeRFs can generate immersive 3D renders of complex real-world scenes, such as a cluttered room or a construction site.

However, to make any changes, developers would need to manually define how the scene has transformed — or remake the NeRF entirely.

Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and NVIDIA have simplified the process with NeRFDeformer. The method can transform an existing NeRF using a single RGB-D image, which is a combination of a normal photo and a depth map that captures how far each object in a scene is from the camera.

Researchers have simplified the process of generating a 3D scene from 2D images using NeRFs. Source: NVIDIA

JeDi model shows how to simplify image creation at CVPR

Creators typically use diffusion models to generate specific images based on text prompts. Prior research focused on the user training a model on a custom dataset, but the fine-tuning process can be time-consuming and inaccessible to general users, said NVIDIA.

JeDi, a paper by researchers from Johns Hopkins University, Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago, and NVIDIA, proposes a new technique that allows users to personalize the output of a diffusion model within a couple of seconds using reference images. The team found that the model outperforms existing methods.

NVIDIA added that JeDi can be combined with retrieval-augmented generation, or RAG, to generate visuals specific to a database, such as a brand’s product catalog.

JeDi is a new technique that allows users to easily personalize the output of a diffusion model within a couple of seconds using reference images, like an astronaut cat that can be placed in different environments. Source: NVIDIA

Visual language model helps AI get the picture

NVIDIA said it has collaborated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to advance the state of the art for vision language models, which are generative AI models that can process videos, images, and text. The partners developed VILA, a family of open-source visual language models that they said outperforms prior neural networks on benchmarks that test how well AI models answer questions about images.

VILA’s pretraining process provided enhanced world knowledge, stronger in-context learning, and the ability to reason across multiple images, claimed the MIT and NVIDIA team.

The VILA model family can be optimized for inference using the NVIDIA TensorRT-LLM open-source library and can be deployed on NVIDIA GPUs in data centers, workstations, and edge devices.

VILA can understand memes and reason based on multiple images or video frames. Source: NVIDIA

Generative AI drives AV, smart city research at CVPR

NVIDIA Research has hundreds of scientists and engineers worldwide, with teams focused on topics including AI, computer graphics, computer vision, self-driving cars, and robotics. A dozen of the NVIDIA-authored CVPR papers focus on autonomous vehicle research.

“Producing and Leveraging Online Map Uncertainty in Trajectory Prediction,” a paper authored by researchers from the University of Toronto and NVIDIA, has been selected as one of 24 finalists for CVPR’s best paper award.

In addition, Sanja Fidler, vice president of AI research at NVIDIA, will present on vision language models at the Workshop on Autonomous Driving today.

NVIDIA has contributed to the CVPR AI City Challenge for the eighth consecutive year to help advance research and development for smart cities and industrial automation. The challenge’s datasets were generated using NVIDIA Omniverse, a platform of APIs, software development kits (SDKs), and services for building applications and workflows based on Universal Scene Description (OpenUSD).

AI City Challenge synthetic datasets span multiple environments generated by NVIDIA Omniverse, allowing hundreds of teams to test AI models in physical settings such as retail and warehouse environments to enhance operational efficiency. Source: NVIDIA

About the author

Isha Salian writes about deep learning, science and healthcare, among other topics, as part of NVIDIA’s corporate communications team. She first joined the company as an intern in summer 2015. Isha has a journalism M.A., as well as undergraduate degrees in communication and English, from Stanford.

The post At CVPR, NVIDIA offers Omniverse microservices, shows advances in visual generative AI appeared first on The Robot Report.

(Left) The THINK Surgical TMINI Miniature Robotic System, and (right) Zimmer Biomet’s ROSA Robotics systems. | Source: THINK Surgical, Zimmer Biomet

Zimmer Biomet today announced it signed a limited distribution agreement with THINK Surgical. The companies will now develop an exclusive offering integrating Zimmer Biomet technology into a custom TMINI Miniature Robotic System from Think Surgical.

The TMINI system, which can be used for total knee arthroplasty, will complement Zimmer Biomet’s flagship ROSA surgical robotics portfolio. The companies say the handheld robotic option will enable accurate implant placement to a predetermined CT-based, 3D surgical plan. 

“TMINI addresses surgeon demand for an ergonomic, wireless, handheld robotic system and now, in addition to ROSA, underscores our dedication to empowering surgeons with more choices to make the right decision for each patient,” said Dr. Nitin Goyal, chief science, technology, and innovation officer at Zimmer Biomet.

THINK Surgical designed its TMINI system to enable implant placement and accelerate the uptake of orthopedic robotics. Following a CT-based, 3D surgical plan, the TMINI robotic handpiece automatically compensates for a surgeon’s hand movement to locate bone pins along precisely defined planes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted TMINI clearance in May 2023. 

With more than 90 years of experience, Zimmer Biomet said it offers an integrated suite of digital and robotic technologies that use data, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. The Warsaw, Ind.-based company has operations in over 25 countries and sales in over 100 countries.

Zimmer Biomet keeps focus on ROSA Robotics portfolio

Zimmer Biomet says it anticipates introducing the customized TMINI System to select markets in the U.S. in the second half of 2024. 

“Our strategic partnership with THINK Surgical allows us to explore the value of a handheld platform to accelerate adoption of robotics in orthopedic surgery,” added Dr. Goyal. “We believe the TMINI system’s design is particularly valuable and well-suited for knee procedures performed in ambulatory surgery centers and other out-patient settings.”

Earlier this year, Zimmer Biomet expanded its ROSA portfolio with ROSA Shoulder, a robotic surgery system for shoulder replacement. The company says the platform, which includes applications for total knee and total hip replacement, remains its core focus as it works with THINK Surgical.

With ROSA Robotics, Zimmer Biomet says it hopes to provide real-time insights to optimize surgical outcomes and revolutionize the standard of care. The portfolio includes the company’s knee, partial knee, hip, and shoulder surgical systems. Additionally, the company offers ROSA ONE, a robotic platform that assists surgeons in planning and performing neurosurgical procedures minimally invasively. 

The post THINK Surgical, Zimmer Biomet developing custom surgical robot appeared first on The Robot Report.

Levita is using Real-Time Innovations’ Connext with its robotics surgical system. Source: Levita Magnetics

Real-Time Innovations today announced that Levita Magnetics has chosen RTI Connext to provide real-time connectivity for MARS, a surgical robotics platform that uses magnets.

Levita said it designed the magnetic-assisted robotic surgery, or MARS, system to improve patient outcomes and clinical efficiency in high-volume abdominal surgeries. Command and control in minimally invasive therapies must receive data communications correctly, said the Mountain View, Calif.-based company. Levita said it needed reliable, robust, and scalable software to transfer data in real time, ensuring patient and system safety.

“RTI Connext enables advanced controls and visualization in the surgical field, enriching the surgeon’s experience as well as patient care,” stated Chauncey Graetzel, vice president of research and development at Levita Magnetics. “We will continue to push boundaries through leading-edge innovation in surgical robotics while maintaining unwavering commitment to safety and security standards.”

Register now.

Levita readies MARS with AI, AR

Surgeon Dr. Alberto Rodriguez-Navarro founded Levita Magnetics in 2011. The company said it has developed the proprietary Levita Magnetic Surgical System and MARS to minimize the footprint of surgery and improve patient outcomes such as shorter recovery times, less pain, and better cosmetic results.

Levita said it has completed hundreds of successful surgeries in the U.S. and Chile. It completed its first cases with MARS in October 2023, and the system has U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.

As artificial intelligence continues to grow in the healthcare industry, Levita claimed that it is the first company to use augmented reality (AR) for abdominal surgery. It is planning for AR to act as an accessory to MARS to improve visualization, enhance minimally invasive techniques, and promote collaboration within the medical field.

All of the most popular AR headsets will work with MARS, providing surgeons with comprehensive images and more accurate analysis of patients, said the company.

RTI facilitates robot communications

Founded in 1991, Real-Time Innovations said it provides the software infrastructure for smart distributed systems. Connext is based on the Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard. It enables secure real-time information exchange, modular application development, and rapid integration of distributed systems, said the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company.

RTI said its Routing Service enables communication between two disparate communication protocols. This allows teams to efficiently design a flexible and holistic architecture to accelerate the development of clinical solutions, it claimed.

“The convergence of robotics, AI, data analytics, and visualization technologies is paving the way for a new era in MedTech with connectivity at the core,” said Darren Porras, market development manager for medical at RTI. “To fully leverage new technologies, robotically-assisted systems need to be designed with architectures that allow for rapid evolution while also addressing demanding and simultaneous requirements for reliability, cybersecurity, and performance.”

“We’re proud to work with Levita to leverage the power of magnets to reduce incisions and make surgery less invasive, delivering a triple impact that benefits patients, surgeons, and hospitals,” he said.

Connext users can build systems that combine advanced sensing, fast control, and AI algorithms. With 2,000 customer designs, RTI said it has expertise getting customers to production. In March, RTI said it was working with Cogniteam for robotics management.

RTI software runs more than 250 autonomous vehicle programs and supports dozens of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) and software-defined architectures. The company said it controls the largest power plants in North America, integrates over 400 defense programs, drives robots and medical technologies, and underlies Canada’s air traffic control and NASA’s launch-control systems.

The post Levita Magnetics to use RTI Connext for real-time data transfer with MARS surgical robot appeared first on The Robot Report.

The da Vinci SP is designed for single-port procedures. Source: Intuitive Surgical

Part of the promise of robot-assisted surgery is that it enables increasingly complex but minimally invasive procedures, which allow for better patient outcomes. Last week, a patient received a kidney autotransplantation with a da Vinci SP single-port surgical system from Intuitive Surgical Inc. It was the first surgery of its kind, claimed Maria Middelares Hospital in Ghent, Belgium.

The healthcare facility is working to become a smart hospital as part of the new Health Value Space Ghent initiative. It said it has been using the da Vinci SP on a daily basis since May 21. More than 400 peer-reviewed publications have validated the technology’s safety and efficacy, said Intuitive Surgical.

Maria Middelares modernizes kidney transplants

On May 27, urologist Prof. Karel Decaestecker performed an intracorporeal kidney autotransplantation on an 18-year-old woman suffering from a complex ureteral lesion. She had severe damage to the ureter between the kidney and the bladder.

The doctor determined that the best solution was to bridge the defect was to move the kidney closer to the bladder in a technique called autotransplantation. It was conducted intracorporeally, meaning entirely inside the body.

Dr. Decaestecker had performed such operations since 2017 using the da Vinci Multiport system, which is equipped with four robotic arms. The advantage of an in-body operation is that no large incisions are required to move the kidney in and out of the body. With the Multiport, only a few small incisions of around 1 cm (0.3 in.) were needed to insert the robotic instruments.

Register now.

da Vinci SP minimizes incisions

“What’s new now is the combination of in-body grafting with a single incision thanks to the SP robotic system, which has just one articulated arm,” explained Decaestecker. “This is less intrusive for the patient’s body and should also facilitate smoother post-op recovery.”

“Other advantages are that we can perform the procedure entirely outside the abdomen, allowing the patient to lie flat on their back in a natural position,” he added. “This is important as the patient can now be operated on in a more comfortable position, therefore with fewer intestinal complications.”

With the new robotics platform, Maria Middelares said it can optimize space usage and efficiency in operating rooms. The da Vinci SP allows for further personalization of surgery based on patient needs, said the hospital.

“In our organization, we strive to seek out the best technology combined with in-depth monitoring,” said Dr. Ameye, director of innovation at Maria Middelares. “We map the quality of care using big data analysis based on a multitude of uniform data. This enables us to identify areas for improvement and continuously optimize our care. Providing value-based healthcare is our main motivation.”

Intuitive Surgical develops multiple da Vinci models

Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Intuitive Surgical’s technologies include several models of the da Vinci surgical systems and the Ion endoluminal system. The da Vinci systems offer surgeons high-definition 3D vision, a magnified view, and robotic and computer assistance.

They use specialized instrumentation such as a miniaturized surgical camera and wristed instruments. These include scissors, scalpels, and forceps designed to help with precise dissection and reconstruction deep inside the body.

Intuitive Surgical this week announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared a labeling revision for its da Vinci X and Xi surgical robotic platforms and radical prostatectomy. The company had demonstrated a similar five- to 10-year survival period between robot-assisted radical prostatectomy procedures and non-robotic procedures.

The post Maria Middelares Hospital autotransplants kidney with da Vinci SP via single incision appeared first on The Robot Report.

The Intelligent Surgical Unit applies AI and machine vision to robot-assisted procedures. Source: Asensus Surgical

Asensus Surgical Inc., which has been developing “intra-operative augmented intelligence technology for operating rooms,” today announced that it has entered a definitive merger agreement with KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America Inc. KARL STORZ said the transaction will strengthen its position in the growing surgical robotics market, particularly with Asensus’ next-generation LUNA system.

“We are pleased to have reached this agreement with KARL STORZ, which we believe maximizes value for our stockholders,” stated Anthony Fernando, president and CEO of Asensus Surgical.

“This transaction is a testament to the value of our innovative robotic and digital technology, intellectual property, and the hard work of our talented team,” he added. “We are excited to enter the next chapter for Asensus with KARL STORZ, which will allow us to continue to develop and deliver precise, safer, predictable surgery and digital tools to patients and surgeons around the world.”

The companies have been collaborating for more than a year, and the deal follows the terms of an April letter of intent from KARL STORZ. Under the agreement, KARL STORZ will acquire all outstanding shares of the surgical robot maker for $0.35 per share in cash.

The purchase price represents a premium of about 67%, based on the per-share closing price of the Asensus common stock on the NYSE American on April 2. It also represents a premium of approximately 52% to the closing price of the common stock on the last trading day prior to the announcement. 

Register now.

Asensus works to digitalize surgery

The company was founded as TransEnterix Inc. in 2006 and rebranded as Asensus Surgical in 2021 to reflect its vision of using machine learning and computer vision to advance surgical robotics and deliver “consistently superior outcomes.”

The Morrisville, N.C.-based company has offices in Milan and Klinikum Idar-Oberstein, Germany. It said it has more than 200 employees, and over 300 surgeons have used its technology to perform more than 10,000 procedures.

Asensus said its digital laparoscopy technology is approved for use around the world. The Senhance surgical system offers precise manipulation in robot-assisted surgeries, said Asensus. It works with human clinicians through smart tracking of eye movements for minimally invasive procedures. In January, the company placed its first Senhance robot for pediatrics in Japan.

The company offers Senhance along with Performance-Guided Surgery (PGS) and Intelligent Surgical Unit (ISU). Senhance Connect is designed for teleoperation, and Senhance Simulation can aid with training. Asensus said its Augmented Intelligence can deliver real-time insights beyond the robots, similar to GPS, enhancing rather than replacing human capabilities.

The LUNA system in development includes include a surgeon console with unconstrained handles, a touchscreen, and an Ultra-HD 3D monitor. It also has up to four independent robotic arms and a drive system supporting various instrumentation options.

Asensus showed LUNA to physicians in January. The company planned to manufacture LUNA with Flex and said it was aiming for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in 2025.

KARL STORZ to take surgical unit private

Asensus Surgical’s board of directors has unanimously approved the transaction. The company said it expects the merger to close in the third quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of approval from the Asensus stockholders.

Upon completion of the transaction, Asensus Surgical will become a subsidiary of KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America and will no longer be publicly listed or traded on the NYSE American Exchange.

KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America is a subsidiary of KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG, an independent, family-owned global medical technology company founded in 1945 in Tuttlingen, Germany. A leader in endoscopy, KARL STORZ employs 9,400 people in more than 40 countries worldwide.

The company‘s portfolio includes 13,000 products for human and veterinary medicine, and it recorded preliminary sales in fiscal of 2023 of €2.17 billion ($2.34 billion U.S.). KARL STORZ has production sites in Germany, the U.S., Switzerland, and Estonia.

Jefferies LLC served as financial advisor to Asensus Surgical, and Ballard Spahr LLP served as legal counsel to Asensus Surgical. UBS Investment Bank served as financial advisor to KARL STORZ, and Ropes & Gray LLP served as legal counsel to KARL STORZ.

The post Asensus Surgical agrees to merger with KARL STORZ appeared first on The Robot Report.

The da Vinci Xi robotic surgery system. | Source: Intuitive Surgical

Intuitive Surgical Inc. yesterday announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared a labeling revision for its da Vinci X and Xi surgical robotic platforms and radical prostatectomy.

The labeling revision was based on real-world evidence collected from 2007 to 2014 that demonstrated a similar five- to 10-year survival period between robot-assisted radical prostatectomy procedures and non-robotic procedures.

“We believe that many robotic procedures have advantages over traditional open surgery and laparoscopy for patients, care teams, and hospital customers—such as shorter hospital stays, fewer conversions, and less blood loss,” stated Myriam Curet, M.D., chief medical officer at Intuitive. “This is a significant step because it confirms non-inferiority for overall survival at 10 years for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy with the da Vinci surgical system.”

FDA updates surgical robot label

da Vinci X and Xi, the previous generations behind the recently FDA-cleared da Vinci 5, now have a labeling change that applies specifically to the “Precaution for Representative Uses” statement. The previous statement noted that the FDA did not review the evaluation of outcomes related to the treatment of cancer. It now reads as follows, with changes in bold:

Precaution for Representative Uses

The demonstration of safety and effectiveness for the representative specific procedures did not include evaluation of outcomes related to the treatment of cancer (overall survival, disease-free survival, local recurrence), except for radical prostatectomy which was evaluated for overall survival, or treatment of the patient’s underlying disease/condition. Device usage in all surgical procedures should be guided by the clinical judgment of an adequately trained surgeon.

Intuitive provided data from a retrospective cohort study using de-identified healthcare claims data from the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart to evaluate overall survival following radical prostatectomy via robotic-assisted surgery as compared to open surgery among patients with treatment-naive prostate cancer in the U.S. The study evaluation included nearly 25,000 patients, and the timeframe was chosen to avoid confounding factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Register now.

da Vinci designed for a range of procedures

da Vinci Xi offers capabilities for a range of procedures, according to Intuitive Surgical. The multiport robotic surgery system offers advanced instrumentation, vision, fluorescence imaging, and integrated table motion.

Intuitive described its da Vinci X as a “robotics program entry point.” It is built on the same arm architecture as the Xi and is designed to enable the standardization of the same core instruments and vision technologies, said the company.

Intuitive worked with the FDA, Aetion, and National Evaluation System for Health Technology (NEST) to support the labeling update submission. It asserted that the project demonstrates the utility of public-private collaboration to generate high-quality, real-world evidence.

Intuitive plans to use data to drive innovation

Data collected by Intuitive Surgical’s new da Vinci 5 surgical robotics system is going to be “unbelievably transformational” for patient care, said Brian Miller, executive vice president and chief digital officer at Intuitive. In a keynote presentation at DeviceTalks Boston 2024, he claimed that the fifth-generation DV5 is the most precise robot Intuitive has ever built.

“What I mean by that is the ability to calculate exactly where the tip of the robot is, is the highest precision that we’ve done. That involves higher-resolution sensors, better motors. You will continue to see those advancements in the platform,” Miller said in response to a question from DeviceTalks Editorial Director Tom Salemi about the potential for future gains from hardware advances and data.

DeviceTalks is produced by WTWH Media, which also publishes MassDevice and The Robot Report.

“But I do personally believe that the data that is coming from the robotic system and the ability to characterize that procedure — what happened, what technology did they use, how did they approach it,” said Miller. “You couple that with the outcome status at some hospitals, I think that it’s going to be an unbelievably transformational technology to be able to say how you approach patient care. … Oftentimes, it’s the approach that you need to find, and there’s a lot of preoperative planning in place.”

Miller shared that Intuitive is focusing on “data-driven insights that come from the robotic platform — as well as data that the hospital has — to really drive the next level of growth in innovation in the future.” The company can identify those insights through large volumes of data, he said.

Editor’s note: This article was syndicated from The Robot Report’s sibling site MassDevice.

The post Intuitive earns updated FDA labeling on da Vinci X, Xi for radical prostatectomy appeared first on The Robot Report.

The Maestro digital surgical assistant is designed to be compact and precise. | Credit: Moon Surgical

Moon Surgical announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted clearance for the commercial version of its Maestro surgical robot. The startup said the system can augment the precision and control of laparoscopic surgery.

Moon Surgical — one of 10 surgical robotics companies to follow in 2024 — said it designed Maestro to provide an accessible, enhanced version of traditional laparoscopy.

“Our Maestro System introduces a new category of robotic surgery tailored for the broad laparoscopy market, enabling robotics utilization on an unprecedented scale,” stated Anne Osdoit, CEO of Moon Surgical and a partner at Sofinnova Partners’ medtech accelerator, MD Start. “We enable healthcare providers to enhance existing tools and optimize surgical services with data-driven insights.” 

Founded in 2020, Moon Surgical asserted that it is “building the OR of the future, one that is digitalized, efficient, and sustainable.” The company, which has offices in Paris and San Francisco, claimed that Maestro and Maestro Insights empower healthcare teams to make confident decisions and provide better surgical care for their patients.

Register now.

Maestro supports varied surgeries

Maestro is designed to support surgeons and operating room staffers in the $18.8 million annual market for soft-tissue surgical procedures not currently supported by telerobotic systems. The small, adaptable system can integrate into existing clinical workflows, according to Moon Surgical.

In addition, Maestro features capabilities to bolster operating room efficiency, allow for alternative labor models, and shorten procedure duration, the company said. The system includes NVIDIA Holoscan, an edge computing platform that allows for the deployment of real-time algorithms based on artificial intelligence.

Maestro received CE mark approval in Europe for the latest version of Maestro in September 2023. It has been used to treat more than 200 patients in general, bariatric, and gynecologic surgery at two European pilot sites.

Moon Surgical releases to come in the U.S. and Europe

Moon Surgical now plans to deploy its system in the U.S. and Europe through a limited market release. It anticipates a broader launch in 2025.

“After a fantastic initial experience in Europe in a real-world, multi-specialty setting, we are eager to implement Maestro programs at select US sites over the next few months,” said Fred Moll, a surgical robotics veteran. The co-founder of Intuitive Surgical joined Moon Surgical’s board last year, when the company raised $55.4 million.

“This clearance is very timely and will bolster the remarkable traction we’ve had following the recent SAGES conference, with U.S. sites eagerly lining up to join our Limited Market Release,” said Osdoit.

Editor’s note: This article is syndicated from The Robot Report sibling site MassDevice.

The post Moon Surgical receives FDA clearance for Maestro Robotic Surgery System appeared first on The Robot Report.

Medbot targets pharmacy deliveries for hospitals and other medical facilities. | Credit: Richtech Robotics

Richtech Robotics just unveiled its newest autonomous mobile robot (AMR): Medbot. The mobile robot provides round-the-clock medication deliveries for pharmacy operations. Medbot joins a mature lineup of AMRs designed for specialized operations in autonomous floor cleaning, hotel delivery, and hospitality.

“At Richtech Robotics, we’re passionate about pioneering solutions to mitigate workplace inefficiencies and build systems that address relevant industry concerns,” said Matt Casella, president of Richtech Robotics. “With a track record of success across the hospitality and service sectors, adapting our products to enhance conditions for the healthcare workforce and infrastructure was a natural progression for us. Finding a way to offload routine daily tasks for healthcare workers has been a pain point for many years, and we’re excited to launch an innovative solution to help hospitals gain a competitive edge.”

Casella was a recent guest on The Robot Report Podcast. He discussed Richtech Robotics’ business and its ADAM bartending robot.

Many robot companies have attempted to launch hospital pharmacy delivery robots in the past. The use case is an important one, as patient care is the number one priority. In this environment, reliability and ease of use are the keys to a successful deployment.

Hospitals also function across multiple floors and require robust elevator interfaces for the mobile robots to move between floors autonomously while completing their missions. Elevator control has been difficult for most automation vendors to deploy, and Richtech is marketing Medbot with this key functionality. The company claims to have solved elevator interaction with the early generation of hotel delivery robots.

Register now.

Key product features for the Richtech MedBot

• Elevator integration: Ensures operation across complex spaces
• Four storage spaces: Holds up to 3.17 gallons each and can be opened one at a time if desired
• Smooth delivery: Works across versatile flooring, helping navigate dense crowds or cluttered spaces
• Large touchscreen display: User-friendly interface to schedule deliveries and see real-time insights
• Ultrasonic sensors (8) and cameras (2): Provides heightened obstacle detection and avoidance
• IoT enablement: Exchanges data with other devices and systems (e.g. smart doors)

Richtech said early customers have deployed the robots for missions moving from pharmacy to in-patient units and emergency departments, chemotherapy preparations to infusion centers, pharmacy-to-pharmacy/intra-pharmacy transport, and “meds-to-beds” discharge medications from the outpatient pharmacy to the patient’s nurse.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals are facing staff shortages. Automating boring tasks like pharmacy delivery enables key nursing and support staff to remain on call and attentive to patients.

“Amid rising operating expenses and a surge in patient numbers across the country, Medbot strives to empower healthcare facilities with superior care, despite staffing shortages. Our Medbot integration method is the only one on the market that has been proven to consistently work,” said Casella.

Specifications

Dimensions: 103 x 52 x 49 cm (3.4’ x 1.7’ x 1.6’)

Payload: 32.8kg (88 lbs)

The post Richtech launches autonomous mobile robot for hospitals appeared first on The Robot Report.

The full Stereotaxis lab with the Genesis RMN system. Source: Stereotaxis

Stereotaxis Inc. last week announced that it received CE Mark for its  devices in Europe under new European Medical Device Regulation, or EU MDR, framework. The St. Louis, Mo.-based company has developed surgical robotics for minimally invasive endovascular interventions.

The recertification under MDR covers all Stereotaxis devices available in Europe. In 2021, the MDR replaced the EU Medical Device Directive (MDD) with more stringent requirements for the companies that perform the audits for each device, also known as notified bodies.

The change affects not only devices that are new to the EU market, but also those that entered the market under MDD and must be re-certified under MDR to remain available for sale.

Stereotaxis said it now has an updated EU Quality Management System Certificate. This demonstrates that the company falls in line with MDR and that its products now have valid CE mark. The MDR certification also supports regulatory clearances for upcoming innovations.

“This is a reflection of Stereotaxis’ commitment to high-quality devices, systems, and processes to ensure the best possible experience for the patients and physicians that rely on our technology,” stated David Fischel, chair and CEO of Stereotaxis. “Congratulations to all those at Stereotaxis who made this possible.”

“This final step in the certification of our products and quality systems under MDR is the culmination of several years of diligent work by the Stereotaxis team,” added Matthew Stepanek, senior director of regulatory affairs, quality, and technical writing at the company. “We appreciate the collaboration with our Notified Body in this entire process.”

Stereotaxis has developed technologies including the Genesis robotic magnetic navigation (RMN) system. It includes robotic precision and safety for cardiac ablation.

Genesis uses smaller magnets that rotate along their center of mass, allowing for responsiveness to physician control. The smaller system can improve the patient experience, provide greater patient access, and increase lab space, according to Stereotaxis.

The company also offers the Magic magnetic catheter. Magic is a robotically navigated catheter that performs minimally invasive cardiac ablation procedures. Stereotaxis submitted it for European and U.S. approval in March.

Register now.

Italian hospital establishes cardiac program with Stereotaxis

Stereotaxis recently announced that Hospital Santa Maria della Pietà established the first robotic cardiac heart program in the region of Naples, Italy. Doctors there can now treat patients with heart rhythm disorders using robotic ablation procedures.

The hospital was the first in Italy to adopt the Genesis RMN system, said the company. Flexible, rugged robotic arms hold the agents to increase the potential range of motion and allow for wider X-ray angulation, it explained.

Dr. Mario Volpicelli, head of the hospital’s electrophysiology unit, said Genesis provides “an unprecedented level of precision and control” in cardiac ablation. Volpicelli added that it helps to target arrhythmias accurately while minimizing the risk to patients.

Editor’s note: This article was syndicated from The Robot Report sibling site MassDevice. 

The post Stereotaxis wins updated CE mark for all devices available in Europe appeared first on The Robot Report.