The neuroArm utilizes sixteen of Nanomotion’s HR2-1-N-3 piezo ultrasonic non-magnetic motors, coupled with the company’s AB5 drive module. These motors cover six joints, all of which are rotary…

Johnson Medtech, the medical products network of Johnson Electric, one of the world’s largest providers of motion actuators, announced its participation in creating the neuroArm, the world’s first MRI-compatible image-guided surgical robot capable of both microsurgery and stereotaxy. Actuators that utilize revolutionary ceramic motors designed by Nanomotion of the Johnson Medtech network enable the neuroArm to safely operate within an MRI to provide surgeons with unprecedented detail and control.

Working with a team of experts from the University of Calgary and MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA), Nanomotion of the Johnson Medtech network collaborated to implement non-magnetic actuators that enable the precision motion necessary for conducting microsurgical operations safely within the strong magnetic field of an MRI system. In the past, the magnetic nature of electric motors and their metal components restricted surgeons and surgical tools from the MRI environment, making motion impossible.

These two new technologies, combined with the software, enabled the robotics experts and Nottingham Trent University to create this world first in compliant robotics. The mechanism can also be implemented into commercial applications…

Plymouth based company Merlin Robotics have been working in association with Nottingham Trent University to produce an intriguing robotic snake that uses not only muscle actuation but also linear sensors to function, and will be on display at London’s Science Museum at the DANA centre in April 2008.

A world first, the muscle actuation mechanism is breakthrough technology - the ‘muscles’ include built-in air valves which enable far greater control and scope for movement. Another world first is the snake’s absolute optical position sensors. These linear sensors are unique in the world of robotics as they are bus addressable and less susceptible to magnetic interference. These two new technologies, combined with the software, enabled the robotics experts and Nottingham Trent University to create this world first in compliant robotics. The mechanism can also be implemented into commercial applications.

We are delighted to join Robotics Trends and international robotics community at the RoboDevelopment Conference and Exposition. As the first technical event for the robotics industry that is focused on the design and development of commercial mobile robots and intelligent systems products, the RoboDevelopment event provides Hanson with a great opportunity to demonstrate our robots and robotic technology to the robotics community and the world at large. - David Hanson, Hanson Robotics.

Robotics Trends and EH Publishing announced that Hanson Robotics has joined the RoboDevelopment Conference and Exposition as a sponsor and that Hanson Robotics will demonstrate their groundbreaking new Zeno humanoid robot at a Robotics Networking Reception. The RoboDevelopment Conference and Exposition, which takes place at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, California Oct. 25-26, 2007, is the international technical design and development event for the mobile robotics and intelligent systems industry.