Surgeons in Switzerland use the robot da Vinci to aid a hernia operation. Over a third of US hospitals have at least one surgical robot.
AP Photo/Keystone, Salvatore Di Nolfi
Matt Beane, University of California, Santa Barbara
There are more robots than ever in the operating room – but that’s led to fewer opportunities for surgical trainees. Now, some new doctors are teaching themselves in secret.
We give over control of our lives every day and trust other humans to make ethical decisions. But soon robots will make these decisions for us. Will they be ethical or is it just a numbers game?
What if Santa’s job is one of those taken over by an intelligent machine? Would a robot Santa begin to question its purpose and the existence of those it’s designed to serve at Christmas?
The Mount Agung volcano spews smoke, as seen from Karangasem, Bali.
EPA-EFE/MADE NAGI
Star Wars’ robots are much-loved characters, who can shed light on the future of automation. In the films, they exist mostly to assist rather than replace humans - and like us, they are prone to errors.
Beebots are robots that kids can easily program, with direct feedback seen in where the robot goes.
arselectronica/flickr
Toys and games that involve friends and family members are more than just fun: they can foster new skills, challenge children to work in a team and encourage thinking and idea development.
The Campaign Against Killer Robots has launched a terrifying film showing why lethal drones need to be banned.
Humanoid robots at an international robotics competition in Tehran, Iran, during 2014. Students from 22 countries, including Canada, were competing during the three-day event.
(AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
In their relentless pursuit of research commercialization, and bigger robots, universities might miss the real opportunity of technology - to make our world a better place.
One day we could have an intelligent robot cook up surprise meals at home.
Besjunior/Shutterstock
Australia Post has begun conducting experiments with mail delivery robots. With Amazon launching today in Australia, all eyes will be on whether these prototype robots will actually deliver.
Robots could free human carers to focus on the more personal parts of the job.
While most Canadian nurses still use some paper charting systems, robots are being developed to complete intimate nursing tasks. Nurses need to embrace technological change, to direct their own future.
(Shutterstock)
Will nurses eventually be replaced by robots? Nurses themselves need to engage with the ongoing technological revolution in healthcare - to shape the future of the profession.
Pain is something everyone experiences. This episode of The Anthill podcast explores how and why it works in our brains, what kinds of drugs are being developed to reduce pain, and whether or not robots of the future should be built so that they experience pain.