Robots in Medical and Industrial Applications

A special issue of Electronics (ISSN 2079-9292). This special issue belongs to the section "Systems & Control Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 2332

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
Interests: robotics; redundant robots; trajectory optimization; collaborative robots; rehabilitative robotics; dynamic models
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As Guest Editor, I invite you to submit a manuscript for consideration and possible publication in a Special Issue on "Robots in Medical and Industrial Applications".

The aim of the Special Issue is to present novel designs and applications of robots in both medical and industrial scenarios. This includes, but is not limited to: mechanism design for task execution; trajectory planning to ensure collision avoidance, mechanism stability and suppression of vibration; work cell design to improve throughput and/or safety for industrial and medical applications; and studies on robot safety to help develop novel safety standards to be used both in medical and collaborative applications.

The deadline for manuscript submission is 30 June 2024, and any interested parties may send manuscripts from now up until the deadline.

Dr. Matteo Bottin
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Electronics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • industrial robots
  • rehabilitation robots
  • mechanism design
  • kinematics

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 6002 KiB  
Article
Shape Sensing for Continuum Robotics Using Optoelectronic Sensors with Convex Reflectors
by Dalia Osman, Xinli Du, Timothy Minton and Yohan Noh
Electronics 2024, 13(7), 1253; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13071253 - 28 Mar 2024
Viewed by 568
Abstract
Three-dimensional shape sensing in soft and continuum robotics is a crucial aspect for stable actuation and control in fields such as minimally invasive surgery, engine repairs and search and rescue operations, as the estimation of complex curvatures while using continuum robotic tools is [...] Read more.
Three-dimensional shape sensing in soft and continuum robotics is a crucial aspect for stable actuation and control in fields such as minimally invasive surgery, engine repairs and search and rescue operations, as the estimation of complex curvatures while using continuum robotic tools is required to manipulate through fragile paths. This challenge has been addressed using a range of different sensing techniques, for example, Fibre Bragg grating (FBG) technology, inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor networks, or stretch sensors. Previously, an optics-based method using optoelectronic sensors was explored, offering a simple and cost-effective solution for shape sensing in a flexible tendon-actuated manipulator in two orientations. This was based on proximity-modulated angle estimation and has been the basis for the shape sensing method addressed in this paper. The improved and miniaturised technique demonstrated in this paper is based on the use of a convex shaped reflector with optoelectronic sensors integrated into a tendon-actuated robotic manipulator. Upgraded sensing capability is achieved using optimisation of the convex reflector shape in terms of sensor range and resolution, and improved calibration is achieved through the integration of spherical bearings for friction-free motion. Shape estimation is achieved in two orientations upon calibration of sensors, with a maximum Root-Mean-Square Error (RMS) of 3.37°. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Robots in Medical and Industrial Applications)
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13 pages, 3781 KiB  
Article
A Portable Robotic System for Ankle Joint Rehabilitation
by Zhetenbayev Nursultan, Ceccarelli Marco and Gani Balbayev
Electronics 2023, 12(20), 4271; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12204271 - 16 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1100
Abstract
The design of a new exoskeleton is presented based on four electric linear actuators for the flexion motion range of the ankle of a user. The exoskeleton system is designed to be easy to operate and fairly inexpensive so that it can be [...] Read more.
The design of a new exoskeleton is presented based on four electric linear actuators for the flexion motion range of the ankle of a user. The exoskeleton system is designed to be easy to operate and fairly inexpensive so that it can be used as a tool for exercising and the rehabilitation of the ankle. A prototype of the ankle exoskeleton is presented with its electrical circuit and components, such as servomotors, microcontrollers, sensors, and power supplies. The prototype is distinguished by an innovative design, which uses linear electric actuators for angular-assisted motion, providing a controlled adaptive movement of the ankle joint in its basic movements, separately and combined. The key elements of the ankle exoskeleton prototype consist of a lower leg housing, front and rear servomotor mounts, and ball joints with the aim of mimicking and supporting the natural movements of the ankle for users with walking and mobility problems. The innovation of the proposed work can be recognized in the portable mechanical design with a proper mechatronic design with four actuators that control ankle motion in all its possibilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Robots in Medical and Industrial Applications)
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