Global Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

Microbot Medical’s LIBERTY system is a single-use endovascular robotic surgical system. | Source: Microbot Medical Microbot Medical Inc., the developer of the LIBERTY Endovascular Robotic Surgical System, is building on the momentum from the positive results of its good laboratory practices, or GLP, pre-clinical study. The company is adding a clinical research associate to support its pending investigational device exemption, or IDE, submission to commence its first-in-human clinical trial.  The clinical research associate (CRA) will join the Braintree Mass.-based company ‘s established clinical team in the U.S. The team is led by Dr. Juan Diaz-Cartelle, chief medical officer of Microbot Medical.  “Following the successful completion of our pivotal GLP pre-clinical trial, and as we are in the final stage of submitting our IDE, having an in-house CRA is a key piece for establishing the right infrastructure for clinical trial execution” said Diaz-Cartelle in a release . L...

An affiliate of private investment firm Angeles Equity Partners has acquired Acieta , a Midwest industrial robotics manufacturer and integrator, from Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.). Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. This marks Angeles’ fourth acquisition in the robotics integration sector; it previously acquired RōBEX, Mid-State Engineering, and +Vantage. Angeles said the acquisition of Acieta expands the business’ equipment tending, welding, and palletizing capabilities across a broader set of end markets including agriculture, foundry and die, welding and fabrication, and construction and building products. Waukesha, Wisc.-based Acieta is a full-service automation solutions provider with systems, controls, and software engineering capabilities developed since its inception in 1983. Acieta said it has installed more than 5,500 robots since it was founded. It is a FANUC Authorized System Integrator employing FANUC Robotics Certified Service Engineers and FANUC Robotics M...

Intuitive Surgical said today that it has submitted for FDA 510(k) clearance of its next-generation da Vinci 5 multiport surgical robot. The da Vinci 5 will join Intuitive’s existing da Vinci robotic surgical system portfolio alongside the multiport X and Xi systems and the single-port SP. There is also Ion , Intuitive’s robotic-assisted platform for minimally invasive biopsy in the lung. “We are submitted and in the back-and-forth with the FDA. It is our hope for a 2024 launch, but they are ultimately the arbiters of when we get clearance,” CEO Gary Guthart said during an evening earnings call with analysts. ISGR shares were up more than 6% to $395 apiece on the news. News of Intuitive moving forward with a next-generation da Vinci system has been much anticipated. Intuitive officials had previously stayed quiet on the timing, especially after the company’s stock took a temporary hit a year ago when Guthart mentioned there would not be a new multiport system launch in 2023. Gut...

According to data from New York State, Intuition Robotics’ ElliQ has resulted in a 95% reduction in loneliness amongst users. | Source: Intuition Robotics Intuition Robotics Ltd. has unveiled the latest edition of its AI companion for older adults, ElliQ 3. The Palo Alto, Calif.-based company said that the social robot has been proven to benefit seniors’ health, social connectedness, and independence. The latest version of ElliQ is integrated with generative AI to bring the technology into seniors’ everyday lives, said Intuition Robotics. The company added that its $25 million in funding from August 2023 enabled its software and hardware updates. Intuition Robotics said ElliQ’s new capabilities will help expand the availability and accessibility of the robot. They are intended to help the robot further enhance the independence and wellness of older adults and decrease feelings of loneliness.  “It’s astounding to see that the first people to live with and build long-term rel...

ToF sensors provide 3D information of the world around a mobile robot, providing important data to the robots perception algorithms. | Credit: E-con Systems In the ever-evolving world of robotics, the seamless integration of technologies promises to revolutionize how humans interact with machines. An example of transformative innovation, the emergence of time-of-flight or ToF sensors is crucial in enabling mobile robots to better perceive the world around them. ToF sensors have a similar application to lidar technology in that both use multiple sensors for creating depth maps. However, the key distinction lies in these cameras ‘ ability to provide depth images that can be processed faster, and they can be built into systems for various applications. This maximizes the utility of ToF technology in robotics. It has the potential to benefit industries reliant on precise navigation and interaction. Why mobile robots need 3D vision Historically, RGB cameras were the primary sensor...

An MIT study found that only about a fourth of jobs are economically sensible to replace with AI vision systems. | Source: MIT CSAIL A new study from MIT CSAIL, MIT Sloan, The Productivity Institute, and IBM’s Institute for Business Value provided more insight into how artificial intelligence could affect the job market. Its findings challenge the common belief that AI will put vast numbers of people out of work.  There’s a lot of research that exists about AI in the workplace, but much of it focuses on quantifying all of the potential uses AI can have in various sectors. It doesn’t focus on how likely those industries are to adopt that technology, and what costs might prevent them from doing so. This research examined the economic practicality of using AI for automating tasks in the workplace, with a particular emphasis on computer vision.  The authors claimed that their tripartite analytical model sets this research apart from others. This framework assesses the techni...

FlexxConnect is a process-control program for CNC shops. Source: Flexxbotics Flexxbotics, which provides process-control software to automate workcells, today announced that Scott Harris, co-founder of SOLIDWORKS and Onshape, has mentored and invested in the company. It said the unspecified “strategic investment marks an exciting development for Flexxbotics, propelling the company towards further innovation and growth in the field of smart factory robotic manufacturing.” Harris has extensive experience in computer-aided design and manufacturing software. Dassault Systèmes acquired SOLIDWORKS , and PTC acquired Onshape. As co-founder of both, Harris knows about innovation and digital transformation, said the Boston-based startup.  “His investment and involvement with Flexxbotics underscore the company’s visionary approach to the software solutions that orchestrate robotics and equipment in smart manufacturing,” said the company in a release . Flexxbotics continues digitizin...