Year: 2023

A wearable robotic device that helps lift the shoulders to support arm movements can make it easier for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to do daily tasks, a new study reports.

A wearable robotic device has shown promise in improving arm function for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a recent article on ALS News Today. The device, called the MyoSuit, is a soft robotic exoskeleton that can be worn on the arm and is designed to assist with movements that are typically impaired in ALS patients.

The MyoSuit is equipped with sensors that detect muscle activity in the arm, allowing it to provide support and assistance as needed. The device can be customized for each patient, with adjustments made to ensure the best possible fit and function. In a recent study, ALS patients who used the MyoSuit for eight weeks showed significant improvements in arm function, including increased strength and range of motion.

RoboTiCan, an Israeli tech company founded in 2019 by former Amazon Robotics executives, has raised $7.5 million in funding to develop battery-free robots. The company aims to create lightweight, agile robots that can operate in various industries, including logistics, agriculture, and warehousing, using energy harvested from their environment.

According to the company’s CEO, Elad Levy, “The funding will enable us to further our mission of creating sustainable, energy-efficient robots that can improve productivity and efficiency in a variety of industries.” The funding round was led by Zohar Zisapel, an Israeli venture capitalist, with participation from other investors.

The Japanese government has announced plans to allow self-driving delivery vehicles on public roads in the country. This move is part of an effort to address the growing demand for home delivery services and alleviate the burden on human drivers.

Under the new rules, self-driving vehicles will be allowed to operate on designated public roads, with a speed limit of 10 km/h. The vehicles will be required to have a human operator on board to take control in case of emergencies.

The government plans to launch a pilot program for self-driving delivery vehicles in 2023, with a goal of having the vehicles in widespread use by the mid-2020s.

“Self-driving vehicles have the potential to revolutionize the delivery industry, improving efficiency and reducing costs,” said Japan’s transport minister, Hiroshi Moriyama. “We are committed to supporting the development of this technology and ensuring its safe and effective use.”

Carbon Robotics, an AI and robotics company specializing in agriculture, has introduced what it says is “the industry’s first LaserThinning capability”, continuing the “rapid innovation” of its LaserWeeder system.

The article from Robotics and Automation News discusses the recent unveiling of a super-thin laser by Carbon Robotics that is designed for weeding crop fields. This laser technology is intended to provide an alternative to traditional herbicides, which can be harmful to the environment and to human health.

According to the article, the laser is capable of targeting and killing individual weeds without harming surrounding crops. This is achieved through a combination of precision optics and software algorithms that allow the laser to distinguish between plants and weeds. The laser is also extremely thin, which allows it to be mounted on a tractor and used to weed fields in a highly efficient manner.