Unlocking the power of socially assistive robotic nurses in hospitals through innovative living lab methodology.

Pilot 5 utilizes AI and robotics to develop a robotic nurse assisting hospital staff in response to workforce shortages and rising care demands due to an aging population. This project aims to optimize resources, reduce errors, and improve patient satisfaction through personalized care. The Living Lab approach was implemented to split the study into sprints.

LiDAR-Based Maintenance of a Safe Distance between a Human and a Robot Arm.

This paper demonstrates the capabilities of three-dimensional (3D) LiDAR scanners in supporting a safe distance maintenance functionality in human-robot collaborative applications. The use of such sensors is severely under-utilised in collaborative work with heavy-duty robots. However, even with a relatively modest proprietary 3D sensor prototype, a respectable level of safety has been achieved, which should encourage the development of such applications in the future.

A Pot-Like Vibrational Microfluidic Rotational Motor.

Constructing a micro-sized microfluidic motor always involves the problem of how to transfer the mechanical energy out of the motor. The paper presents several experiments with pot-like microfluidic rotational motor structures driven by two perpendicular sine and cosine vibrations with amplitudes around 10 μm in the frequency region from 200 Hz to 500 Hz. The extensive theoretical research based on the mathematical model of the liquid streaming in a pot-like structure was the base for the successful real-life laboratory application of a microfluidic rotational motor.

A Microfluidic Rotational Motor Driven by Circular Vibrations.

Constructing micro-sized machines always involves the problem of how to bring the energy (electric, magnetic, light, electro wetting, vibrational, etc.) source to the device to produce mechanical movements. The paper presents a rotational micro-sized motor (the diameter of the rotor is 350 µm) driven by low frequency (200-700 Hz) circular vibrations, made by two piezoelectric actuators, through the medium of a water droplet with diameter of 1 mm (volume 3.