Artificial intelligence meets medical robotics
Michael C. Yip, Septimiu E. Salcudean, Ken Goldberg, Kaspar Althoefer, Arianna Menciassi, Justin D. Opfermann, Axel Krieger, Krithika Swaminathan, Conor J. Walsh, He Huang, I‐Chieh Lee
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) applications in medical robots are bringing a new era to medicine. Advanced medical robots can perform diagnostic and surgical procedures, aid rehabilitation, and provide symbiotic prosthetics to replace limbs. The technology used in these devices, including computer vision, medical image analysis, haptics, navigation, precise manipulation, and machine learning (ML) , could allow autonomous robots to carry out diagnostic imaging, remote surgery, surgical subtasks, or even entire surgical procedures. Moreover, AI in rehabilitation devices and advanced prosthetics can provide individualized support, as well as improved functionality and mobility (see the figure). The combination of extraordinary advances in robotics, medicine, materials science, and computing could bring safer, more efficient, and more widely available patient care in the future. –Gemma K. Alderton