FLEXIBLE ROBOTICS

Several robotic systems have been developed over the years using the master–slave principle, the most recent being the Da Vinci Si (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA). This generation of the ‘robot’ has 3D HD vision and ergonomic dual consoles, which are a major step forward in training and mentorship. It can be likened to a novice being taught how to drive a car by an expert using dual controls. Despite these major advances most scientists still feel that there is a long way to go. It might be nice not just to have ‘endowrist’ technology but flexibility at the ‘elbow’ and ‘shoulder’ of the robotic arm. Perhaps it would be better if the entire robotic arm were to be flexible. This is not possible with the pulley and wires systems that are currently in use in medical robotics.