Page 320 - Concise Encyclopedia of Robotics

Surgical Assisstance Robot
The remains of the Titanic, the “unsinkable”ocean liner that sank after
colliding with an iceberg, were found and photographed by an undersea
robot called a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).This machine did not feature
telepresence, but it did use teleoperation, and it provided many high-quality
pictures of the wrecked ship.
A specialized form of ROV is called an autonomous underwater vehicle
(AUV). This machine has a cable through which control signals and
response data pass.In underwater applications,radio control is not feasible
because the water blocks the electromagnetic fields.The cable can use either
electrical signals or fiber-optic signals. An alternative, wireless method of
remotely controlling undersea robots is ultrasound. One type of AUV is
called the flying eyeball. It is basically a camera with outboard motors.
See also FLYING EYEBALL, REMOTE CONTROL, TELEOPERATION, and TELEPRESENCE.
SURGICAL ASSISTANCE ROBOT
Robots have found a role in some surgical procedures. Robotic devices
are steadier, and are capable of being manipulated more precisely, than
any human hand.
Drilling in the skull is one application for which robots have been used.
This technique was pioneered by Dr. Yik San Kwo, an electrical engineer
at Memorial Medical Center in Southern California.The drilling apparatus
is positioned by software derived from a computerized X-ray scan, called
a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan, of the brain. All of the
robotic operation is overseen by a human surgeon.
Numerous applications for robots in surgery have been suggested.
One of the more promising ideas involves using a teleoperated robot
controlled by a surgeon’s hands. The surgeon observes the procedure
while going through the motions, but the actual contact with the patient
is carried out entirely by the machine. Human hands always tremble a
little. As a surgeon gains experience, he or she also grows older, and the
trembling increases. The teleoperated robot would eliminate this problem,
allowing surgeons with much experience (but limited dexterity) to perform
critical operations.
See also TELEOPERATION.
SWARM ROBOT
See INSECT ROBOT.
SYNCHRO
A synchro is a special type of motor, used for remote control of mechanical
devices. It consists of a generator and a receiver motor. As the shaft of the
generator is turned, the shaft of the receiver motor follows along exactly.

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