Medical, Military Robotics - No Longer Science Fiction

While robotic applications have become almost commonplace inindustrial manufacturing, the use of advanced futuristic automatedapplications, like those used in rehabilitation and military projects,are also on the rise.

 "Many of these robots are science fiction projects of years' past,but now they are becoming relevant," says Adil Shafi, president of SHAFI Inc, a Michigan-based provider of simplified software solutions for vision-guided robotics.

An innovator of 2-D/3-D vision robotics, Shafi spoke about robotic innovation applications at the Robotic Industries Assn.'sconference and expo, "Robots 2008; What's Next," at the HynesConvention Center in Boston recently. He said advancements onceconsidered futuristic are now realistic and have a place in society.Robotic applications also save time and money, he said.

"Advanced robotic applications can actually produce a better product than a manual project," he said.

One such robotic invention is the Lokomat, made by Zurich, Switzerland-based Hocoma AG.It is locomotion therapy supported by an automated gait orthosis on atreadmill that can improve walking abilities for those withneurological movement disorders.

According to Hocoma's website, the Lokomat is the first driven gaitorthosis that assists walking movements of impaired patients. It isused to improve mobility in individuals following a stroke, spinal cordinjury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis or other neurological diseasesand injuries.

"Performance results are dramatic," said Shafi, who showed a shortvideo clip on the Lokomat. "Of course, it's pre-clinical and pre-FDAapproval (in the U.S.), but it is used and approved in Holland andJapan."

According to Shafi, a patient who is using an automatedrehabilitation machine like the Lokomat must be able to produce sometype of brain command or have some amount of limb ability in order tomove their body, so the machine can aide in the rehabilitation.

The Lokomat requires only one therapist to help the patient strap in and out.

Another up-and-coming robotic application is the KineAssist, arobotic rehabilitation system that catches a person who is learning towalk again if he or she falls. The machine straps onto the back andcatches the person.

It is made by Kinea Design LLC , a company that specializes in human-machine motion control and works on large projects including DARPA's Revolutionizing Prosthetics 2009.

KineAssist technology allows therapists to challenge patients infunctional environments with reduced concern about falls. It alsorecords objective measures and allows patients to integrate withexisting practice settings, according to the company's website.

Unlike equipment that requires significant set-up time andadditional staff, this rehab robot requires only one therapist, minimalset-up time and is used during transition, standing balance, ambulationand dynamic balance therapy.

"There are so many dramatic stories of these robotic applicationshelping people walk," Shafi said. "The KineAssist is vision and forcelearning. Force needs to be applied, so haptics are essential in theserobots."

Shafi also explained that military applications are becoming more automated, incorporating industrial equipment.

He gave an example of the John Deere Skid Steer Loader,which is the core of many autonomous unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) andhas already premiered in combat."There is a lot of desire to put anindustrialized robot on the end," he said.

According to Shafi, the opportunities are endless. A future use mayinclude picking up soldiers in a war zone or detonating bombs.

A lot can be automated, but these (situations) require hydraulic, kinematic controls," he said.

He said a dual arm robot that will pick up an object using vision isalso being developed. Autonomous robots have arrived," Shafi said."They are here to stay and not only improve operations of business, buthelp people, too."