Robots are now assisting surgeons to perform complicated surgeries and doing those never ending household chores. According to a report from US based market research firm Aarkstore Enterprise, patients experience lesser pain when robots assist surgeons in the operation theatres. Robots exhibit unmatched control and precision and promise patients a more comfortable stay at hospital. In fact, patients now prefer surgeries that are performed in this manner. After all, who will not like quick recovery and lower risk of complications?  

Thousands of robotic surgeries have already been successful completed. Dr. David B. Samadi, chief of robotics and minimally invasive surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, has performed nearly 2,100 robotic prostatectomy procedures till date. A report in The International Journal of Robotics Research notes a French team that has designed a unique computerized 3D model aiding surgeons to use robotics to operate on a beating heart.

Another report from Georgia Tech researchers shows that a number of manufacturers are striving to meet the burgeoning demand for robotic household servants. North American robotics pioneer iRobot is offering affordable robots that can do a range of time consuming chores such as vacuuming, scrubbing and washing the floor. If you think owning a robot that vacuums your floors means burning a hole in your pockets, you are wrong! The prices of the robots are comparable to a conventional vacuum cleaner available at your local store.

Take your pick 

Jennifer Anderson from Ergonomics Today notes that prices of robots typically depend on the complexity of jobs performed by the robots. Take for instance CareBot 3.4 Mobile Service Robot from GeckoSystems, a developer of mobile service robots (MSR's). Based in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, this company is marketing CareBot 3.4 as a “servant class personal robot” ideal for eldercare, childcare and home security. You can have this security guard cum nanny cum nurse for $20,000. Not a bad deal for many who don’t like to deal with often demanding human caretakers. Robots will not ask for a raise or complain about things you have no control on.

Don’t judge this robot by its size- 4 feet-it can do a range of important work and move with a grace of seasoned professional. Anderson also speaks about Care-O-bot 3. Designed by a German company, this service robot can not only take care of sick but will also be your hands on interactive butler. IPA claims their Care-O-bot 3 can move safely among your family members. These friendly robots will quietly move around in your house and on command detect and grasp typical household objects and also exchange them with children or any other family member.

If you want to look at other options, perhaps the Wakamaru from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd will hold your interest. This Japanese manufacturer has succeeded in designing a robot that has the potential to provide companionship to lonely human beings. Wakamaru is very attractive to look at and it will potter around you room giving you company. It can also send and receive e-mails from your home computer.  Mitsubishi’s website says this robot will see you off to work in the morning and greet you once you are back from a long day at office. Most people love this function.

There is so much activity in the robotics industry and it might be more convenient to call a robot to do your spring cleaning this year.

Ideal for repetitive tasks

Popularity of robotics technology is set to increase in the coming months as humans have already begun to hand over completion of both simple as well as complicated tasks to machines. Apart from the convenience of being able to get the job done, machines ensure perfection as well as speed in any activity, and this enhances the overall productivity of humans and organizations.

Routine work is something that robots understand unlike humans who abhor routines for fear of boredom. Humans - when handling a routine or repetitive task, tend to get tired and make mistakes, which is not the case with robots. That’s why robots are extremely useful in all fields requiring such mundane and repetitive tasks.  

Robots have found a special place in areas like patient care, household activities and the like. It is possible to create a schedule of all activities that are required to be completed within the house and ensure that it is done with precision and accuracy. In fact, Irona from the popular cartoon series Richie Rich is very much a reality today, with nearly 2.9 million such robots doing their rounds around the world today, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).  

Robotics for industries

The summary report of IFR World Robotics 2008 indicates that there are about 1 million robots working in industries and another 5.5 million robots ‘employed’ in the service industry. The main areas of employment of robots are factories, hospitals, public buildings, under the earth or water, households, dangerous areas, fields, air as well as the Space. According to this report, this figure is estimated to increase at the rate of nearly 4 percent every year.  

The precision, accuracy and consistency of results in addition to the tireless ability to complete tasks for longer hours has made robots an integral part of the manufacturing as well as the automobile industry today. Whether it is assembling different car parts or sorting candies and sweets, robotics is being used extensively to ensure perfection in work and enhanced productivity. Lifting heavy object, packing and stacking are the three most important activities of the food industry. These are done with amazing precision and accuracy through robotics.