Single Incision Robotic Kidney Removal

For the first time in Michigan, a diseased kidney has been surgically removed at Henry Ford Hospital using highly sophisticated 3D robotics through a single incision.
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Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is another “hot” topic. And like many topics in technology, its very prone to misunderstanding and misrepresentation.

For example, a recent prominent engineering magazine published a cover article on the subject of electric cars, one of my favorite topics. And the cover had a really cool graphic comparing the energy density of lead acid batteries to the newer lithium ion batteries which have 4 time better storage capability, and then comparing that to gasoline’s energy density which is eighty three times more power per pound than lead acid technology. Read more

OC Robotics Develops 1/2″ Diameter Snake-arm Robot

OC Robotics has developed a snake-arm robot that is only 1/2″ (12.5mm) in diameter. The arm is the smallest snake-arm robot to date and uncoils out of a briefcase-sized box where it is stowed. The arm is 24″ (610mm) in length, with longer arms under development, and was designed for the US Department of Defense who needed a way of inspecting and working inside confined or cluttered spaces - a capability not previously available.

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Everything You Need to Know About Mechatronics

Everything you need to know about mechatronics is encompassed in the load.  This perspective came to me recently while doing research for an upcoming article in Design World.  The idea isn’t original, and its probably been suggested before, but it certainly bears repeating.

The word Mechatronics is a construct of mecha- for mechanical and -tronics for electronics.  In general, the idea is to recognize the combination of mechanical engineering in the design of the load and actuators used to satisfy a particular requirement with the electronics needed to control and provide power.  The “mecha” part is more the “arms and legs” of an application.  And when we’re talking about robots and the like, it can literally be arms and legs. Read more

Low-cost photosensor apes eye’s response

The S10604 chip-on-board-type illuminance sensor displays a spectral response close to human eye sensitivity, with reduced sensitivity to IR light. Priced under $0.80 each in hundreds, the RoHS-compliant sensor suits energy-saving brightness control applications from large-screen TVs to cell phones LCDs.

Designed to reduce effects from 940-nm LEDs like those used in remote controls, the S10604 also features minimal error due to color-temperature variations of sources such as fluorescent and incandescent lamps. The device comes in a 2.0 x 1.25 x 0.8-mm package that suits mass-production pick-and-place operations. (From $0.77 ea / 100 to 999 — available now.)

Hamamatsu, Bridgewater, NJ
Information 800-524-0504
http://sales.hamamatsu.com

Solar Power, Mechatronics and Economics

At the recent Semicon show the big buzz was about the emerging Solar Energy industry. Lots of “new” products, lots of buzz. The big semiconductor machinery manufacturers who view crystalline solar cells as a stimulus to the demand for machinery and silicon have put in a lot of effort. The main goal? Get the cost of the solar cells down to where electricity produced with silicon is comparable to the cost of electricity generated by fossil fuel.

And, in fact, the industry is getting there. The current estimates are that solar power is costing about the same as peak demand consumer power, $.23/kWh. And with the current wave of investment and scale up, something which the semiconductor industry has always done well, there is serious forecasting that the cost of solar electricity will continue to fall. Read more

NI and LEGO® Develop Low-Cost Robotics Platform

National Instruments and LEGO Education continue their educational robotics collaboration with the new LEGO Education WeDo classroom robotics platform.

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