Healthcare Robotics Briefing
From: Computing Research Association - 07/24/2009
By: Melissa Norr

The US Congressional Robotics Caucus recently held a briefing on the use of
robotics in healthcare. The speakers discussed how the healthcare industry is
currently using robotics technology, provided demonstrations, and said
continued research is needed. They also stressed that robotics technology has
the potential to lower costs as the US population ages. Microsoft's Tandy
Trower said research funding is still largely limited to military robotics,
and that there should be more of a focus on bringing concepts to the
marketplace and promoting the technology. The University of Southern
California's Maja Mataric noted that robotics has been helpful for stroke,
autism, and Alzheimer's patients, and added that many autistic children now
interact with and learn from robots. Hocoma's Charles Remsberg said the US
Department of Veterans Affairs continues to push the use of rehabilitative
robotics for returning wounded veterans, and added that the technology allows
for more therapy and leads to better outcomes. Carnegie Mellon University's
Howie Choset said improvements in surgical robots could make surgery less
invasive and decrease recovery and hospital stay time for patients. 

Read the entire article at:
http://www.cra.org/govaffairs/blog/

Links:
Congressional Robotics Caucus
http://www.roboticscaucus.org/

Roadmap for US Robotics
http://www.us-robotics.us/

Presentation from Robotics Caucus briefing
http://www.roboticscaucus.org/presentations/