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Significance of Robotic Assistance in Medical Sector
Surgical assistance robots have become more precise as motion control technologies have advanced to assist surgeons in performing complex micro procedures and minimally invasive surgeries.
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Applied Technology Review | Wednesday, March 19, 2025
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Fremont, CA: The use of robots in the medical field has changed the way surgeries are performed, and technology has expanded into other areas of healthcare. Today, robots are used in operating rooms and clinical settings, supporting healthcare workers and improving patient care. As a result of COVID-19, robots are being deployed in hospitals and clinics for a wide range of tasks to reduce exposure to the virus. The pandemic has shown the importance of artificial intelligence in assessing data from patient scans, identifying treatment options for patients, and improving hospital operations. The benefits of robotics in medicine include streamlining operational efficiency, increasing patient care quality, and creating a safer working environment. Robots will eventually perform tasks on their own as technology continues to advance.
In this article, five of the most common uses for robotics in medicine are outlined.
Robots that assist surgeons
Surgical assistance robots have become more precise as motion control technologies have advanced to assist surgeons in performing complex micro procedures and minimally invasive surgeries. AI is increasingly being used in surgical assistance robotics. AI-enabled robots will eventually navigate through the body using computer vision, avoiding obstacles such as nerves and muscles. In fact, surgical robots can perform tasks autonomously, including suturing, so surgeons can just supervise them.
Robots that are modular
Modular robots can be designed to perform a wide range of tasks, including therapeutic exoskeleton robots and prosthetic robotic limbs. In rehabilitation, paralysis, brain injury, or multiple sclerosis, therapeutic robots can be used. Using AI and depth cameras, they can monitor patients as they complete prescribed exercises. The degrees of motion can be precisely measured, and progress can be tracked.
Service robots
When a task has been completed, service robots can send reports automatically, relieving healthcare staff of some of their burden. Robots can set up patient rooms, track supplies, and restock medical supplies, which allow healthcare workers to focus on patients' needs.
Robots with social skills
In long-term care environments, social robots can provide social interaction and monitoring. Social robots help reduce healthcare workers' workloads and improve patients' emotional well-being.
Robots that move
Various applications can be performed by mobile robots, such as disinfecting rooms, transporting patients, or moving machinery. Robots follow a wire or a predefined path to move around.
Future prospects
As machine learning, data analytics, and computer vision advance, health robotics will be able to complete tasks autonomously, efficiently, and accurately. Healthcare has limitless potential for AI and robotics. As soon as telesurgery is introduced, surgeons will be able to treat patients without having to travel. It has been demonstrated by COVID that technology can be adopted much faster than expected, and this is not going to stop in the near future.