The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) will compile global safety standards for nursing-care robots based on criteria provided by the Japanese government. Nursing care robots are designed to fulfill functions which help patients live independently and reduce the burden on caretakers. The main functions to be covered in the initial set of standards are: (1)…
After a lackluster 2nd qtr, Hansen Medical gets a $93 million equity infusion
Although the number of procedures using Hansen Medical‘s Magellan and Sensei robotic systems has risen, the number of units sold has fallen slightly and the company continues to operate in the red, hence the need for additional funding. Hansen’s stock NASDAQ:HNSN, has traded in the $2 to $1.50 range for the last few years and…
Old Things Made New
Sometimes old things are made new. New inventions replace old ways of doing things. The horse, for example, as a way of performing work, has been replaced in much of the world by the electric motor. Of course, that requires electricity and a motor. For emerging economies, none of that infrastructure may exist. In the […]
Two small drones approved by FAA for civilian use in the U.S.
Two small drones, Insitu‘s Scan Eagle X200 (left) and AeroVironment‘s PUMA (right), have become the first federally certified unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for civilian use in the US. One will operate off the Alaska coast to survey ice floats and wildlife; the other will conduct commercial environmental monitoring in the Arctic Circle, assist emergency response…
iRobot Q3 profits were good but revenue was static
Stock drops 13% on news that 3Q and next quarter revenues were and will be static. Everything else was fine. Go figure!
Solar Tracking
Solar Tracking is an interesting mechatronics challenge. It is particularly interesting because on one hand it appears very simple, keep the solar panel oriented perpendicular to the sun in the sky. No big deal. A kid could do it. If he could be kept out doors on bright sunny days making adjustments every 15 minutes […]
Paradigm Shift
By Frank Tobe, Editor & Publisher, The Robot Report Global Future 2045, held June 15-16 in New York City, had a big impact on me. The double-message promotion of GF2045 was intriguing and I thought it would be similarly interesting to my readers. PR stories featured the host, a wealthy young Russian, who wanted to…
Intuitive Surgical stock takes another big hit
After months of negative news about poorly trained surgeons, class action suits claiming misleading communications with shareholders, an FDA review, a product recall, an article saying that procedure costs were too high, particularly for gynecological operations, and an NBC exposé, the news finally effected the company’s earnings and its stock. It dropped 16% on July…
Three ag robot companies featured in AP story
In an Associated Press article by Gosia Wozniacka, using robots to sort, thin, harvest and handle fruits and vegetables was examined. Blue River Technology and their Lettuce Bot; Vision Robotics and their lettuce thinner (and orange harvesting bots); and Spanish company AgroBot and their strawberry harvester were all reviewed. Labor saving devices like these new…
3,400 healthcare jobs in the US required robotics experience and skills
More than 3,400 healthcare jobs in the US required robotics experience and skills – a 32% gain year-over-year, according to WANTED Analytics. The most advertised job titles for these robotics related jobs were Physician Assistant, Director of Surgical Services, Surgical Technician, Surgical Technologist and Research Associate. The metropolitan areas with the most robotic skilled healthcare…
High risk high reward
In a special focus section on Robohub.org, a discussion was held regarding high-risk, high-reward. High risk high reward is a phrase often used for longer-term projects or startups. Particularly where some special problem has to be solved before the goal can be translated into a solution. Often the original risk takers don’t reap the benefits,…
A dilemma of high risk high reward
The following article by Frank Tobe, editor and publisher of The Robot Report, first appeared on Robohub.org in their special focus series: High-risk / High-reward. Often funding sources – the groups taking the risk – are not the beneficiaries of the rewards of the venture. Intuitive Surgical and Rethink Robotics are two examples. NSF, DARPA and…
Semicon 2013
In the world of mechatronics, the largest market segment for application of mechatronic components is the semiconductor industry. The 2013 Semicon show is an important industry gathering for all aspects of semiconductor manufacturing. New industry initiatives like 450mm wafer and smaller feature geometries fuel the continuous improvement that continue to drive cost and technology performance. […]
China now largest market for robots
When counting robots made in China and adding them to robots made internationally and shipped into China, 2012 saw China deploy more robots than any other country. Data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) showed 23,000 robots sold into China. A Canadian college professor and researcher added 9,800 robots manufactured by six Chinese vendors…
China now largest market for robots
By Frank Tobe, Editor and Publisher, The Robot Report View from the exhibition floor at CIROS, July 2-5, Shanghai. The China International Robot Show CIROS was held July 2-5 in Shanghai. 30,000 people were expected to attend and 56 companies exhibited. Although most of the exhibitors were Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean, German and other international robot…
Intuitive Surgical stock sinks
After months of negative news about poorly trained surgeons, class action suits claiming poor communications with shareholders, an FDA review, an article saying that procedure costs were too high, particularly for gynecological operations, and an NBC exposé, the news that stuck and affected the stock (NASDAQ:ISRG) where it hurts seems to be the JAMA article.…
4th of July 2013
Abraham Lincoln, as a young lawyer, gave public speeches to small groups as part of the political discourse of the day. These speeches were frequently reproduced the next day by local newspapers so a broader audience could read the speeches and talk with friends about the subject matter. Frequently the speeches referenced local events, but […]