I may have mentioned this on here before- we are already using augmented reality to build and test product. The worker wears a VR type of headset- currently the Hololens device. This is tied into our documentation and visual work instructions. The image presented to the worker is a mixed vision of the actual work piece and area with a computer overlay. The computer walks the worker through the operations to build and test the product. It is tied into the work tools. So it can also read the torque wrench values, test equipment readings etc for example. It highlights a bolt to insert and tighten to a specific torque value. It highlights the hole where the bolt goes. It is amazing technology as it doesn’t matter (within reason) the angles and so on that the operator is at while viewing the product. The program will not continue until the proper bolt is inserted and properly torqued. We used to be plagued by loose or missing hardware from distracted operators but not anymore.
The operator skills required are much less than someone who needs to do this unaided.
We have been working with the major players in robotic surgery for a long time now. Maybe 10 years ago, I was at a strategy session where they presented their view on the future of the industry. One example still sticks in my head- imagine you are undergoing surgery and a serious complication develops. Would you rather have a human surgeon that suffers a momentary lapse or freezes trying to decide what the best course of action might be, or would you prefer a computer that can scan a comprehensive database of the most up to date information in a fraction of a second and determine what should be done?
To your point, the ability to remain current with the latest information, learn and share that learning instantly- this is the future.
Like it or not, the Terminator movie is looking to be more prophetic than anyone thought at the time it was released
I seem to remember an episode of the original Star Trek series where the people had been so dependent on technology to run their lives, when it broke there was no one to fix it.
Edit; Seems it isn’t a Star Trek episode. Maybe a Philip K Dick novel. I read a lot of sci fi…
Further edit; It is from a novella published in 1909! The Machine Stops by E. M. Forster. Voted 10 best novella pre 1965.
Unless the OS freezes, power source fails (after generator), part fails (electric motor etc etc)… lol…
I know when my wife had her open heart surgery, there was 2 lead surgeons, one doing all the work and one watching and standing by as a back up incase something happened to the 1st surgeon… There was also a question (they were already prepared for it) as to do something or not and they both agreed to do, or not to do X while she was on the operating table, so if one Dr froze up, there was a backup Dr already standing there and ready to take over, or assist if needed…
I’m sure other major surgeries are done the same way…
BTW, when I had my left knee replaced, I used a Sharpie and wrote NO and underlined it on my right knee, Dr laughed and said good idea… lol
It is definitely a good idea. I know of a guy–a Diabetic in his early 50s–who needed to have his left leg amputated. The worst case scenario took place, and the incompetent surgeon cut off his right leg. After recovering from that surgery, then–naturally–his left leg had to be removed.
While this poor guy collected a boat load of money after suing the surgeon for malpractice, no amount of money would really be sufficient to compensate him for that screw-up.
Just as a follow-up regarding major medical procedures, before beginning the procedure there is supposed to be a “time out”, at which time a nurse or other person in the treatment room or operating room is supposed to say:
“The time is now xx:xx, the date is xx, we have an x-year old male/female patient by the name of xxxxx, and we are going to perform the following procedure on him/her. Is everyone in agreement?”
This is even done prior to non-invasive medical treatments at the hospital where my friend has been on the staff for more than 30 years. If that “time-out” procedure is not followed, or if someone isn’t paying proper attention, that’s when terrible mistakes can happen.
I agree, those robots must have cost a fortune, but are so limited in the scope of what they could do… But we have all seen videos or even have experience with Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines… All but the most basic machines use multiple machining tools, from milling, to turning, to drilling and much more…
How long will it be before the entire working head can be switched out automatically depending on the required procedure?
In that video I linked to )BMX Factory…) showed many of the exact same basic robots performing different functions. The only difference was the head unit to position, to drill, to weld, etc…
How many years did mechanics only have box end wrenches until someone thought up and invented the adjustable wrench?
Yeah, I believe in the not too distant future, there will be George Jetson “style auto mechanic” just like “Rosie from U-Rent a Maid.”
When you have a repetitive job that must be done continuously, it makes no sense to design, build and pay for a more versatile robot. It has one job to do over and over again. That doesn’t mean it can’t be done- technically or economically. It just depends on the cost v need.
We recently ordered a Cobot- a robot that can do many things. It has exchangeable toolsets. This robot can pick up and place very tiny parts with unbelievable precision. It then welds them into position. Then it corrects any small error by manipulating those parts. The robot hardware costs $13k…
We have an inspection robot. It can measure anything with amazing precision. It has various “heads” that can be picked up and used for inspection purposes. Fundamentally, it uses a strain guage with a ruby ball on the end to make physical measurements in 3D space. It can even use an optics package to verify the optical quality of a parabolic reflector.
Ha! yeah you show up for your surgery and there’s an Intel inside and windows logo on the “box”.
The hardware and software development and V&V requirements are ISO 13485 or better. No off the shelf hardware or software in something like this. I spent almost 30 years writing safety and mission critical software for medical and defense programs. But, it’s still humans doing the work, same as the two surgeons. And yet, wrong limbs still get removed, as noted.
It’s not just a good idea - It’s standard practice in many hospitals. I have knee surgery a couple decades ago. The surgery team did it. Told me that they’ve been doing it for years.
Perhaps the only good thing about getting old is not needing to choose an insurance company. Virtually every medical provider or facility accepts Medicare. I havent had to pay a medical bill since i became 65.
It’s not easy to find a physician who accepts Medicare here. In fact I don’t even know how to do that. If I type that question into Google, I get the run-around, endless loop of links. I seem to recall the actual Medicare website has this info … sort of. It’s easy to find medicare advantage providers.
Nope, just had to find another one for my 87 yo mom, she had Cigna, well Cigna last year stopped using Kroger for meds, so had to change to Walgreens, now Cigna is no longer using TriStar which is close with NO traffic and we have been using since I was a kid, I can use all back roads to get there, Cigna now only pays for Vanderbilt which is a great Hospital but it can take an hour to get there depending on traffic and it s huge, parking is a mess and you have to walk long distances for anything, I have to push mom in a wheelchair, and I have a hard time walking myself, one reason I’m on disability now… And mom paid out over 7K this year alone in medical bills, not to mention Dad’s medical bills before he passed away back in January, probably 13-14K this year and last year in medical bills for both of them… But I know they were both well over $100K total before ins paid it down to there MOOP and stuff… Mom also has about $164 a month automatically taken out of her SS check every month, and it is going up 1st of the year to $174ish…
I am able to start Medicare in March 2024, but have to pick a ins company for my wife for the year and me until my Medicare kicks in… We take 22-24 prescriptions between my wife and I for health issues, so finding a plan with very low to no prescription cost is a must… Our plan for 2023 sucked, hoping 2024 is much better…
So in TN anyway, you still have to pick a plan, it rolls over but if it changes like Cigna did, then you have to choose another plan, plus plus plus… So it can still very very expensive and stressful…
Do you have insurance through work now? If so, look into COBRA. When I retired I went straight to Medicare because I was old enough. My wife just became eligible this year and signed up. For the prior 2 years she had my medical plan from work, carried over as COBRA. Surely your wife would qualify and maybe you would too. Also, if you are already old enough to get Medicare, there is a special enrollment period starting 3 months before your 65th birthday and ends 3 months after your birthday.
No, I took disability retirement from work Sep 2021 (just had turned 51yo), both my wife and I got Healthcare for 2022 through Healthcare.gov and have been using it since, the 1st year was great but the company pulled out of Tn, for 2023, the new company that we could afford was suppose to be a close replacement for the year before, nope, it sucked… lol…
For 2024 we are going with BCBS of Tn and it looks promising and it is the same company that work used for years… My wife will stay on it and I will switch to Medicare around March 2024…
BTW, in TN anyway, when you apply for disability, you can not have any income period… So hope you have some savings or something you can use to pay all your bills and eat until you are approved for it, and even funnier is you have to be on approved and disability for 24 months before you can get Medicare period… lol…
5 years on medicare, have a supplemental plan and drug plan. Probly 260 a month for both. Have had probably 250 grand in treatments, prostate cancer radiation, throat endoscopy treatment, blood tests, colonoscopy, getting zenkers diverticulim fixed Wed, Chiropractic visits, check out for wrist when my pants crotch bot hung up on my bike and it was so weird, hurt from the outside of my wrist halfway to my elbow. Out of cost for prescriptions has been about $12 a year, no other expenses. Wife has had multiple cortisone injections, hips and shoulders and on many meds, Not sure meds for her, maybe $400 a year.
So we pay maybe 6 grand a year for wife and I supplemental insurance, and everythng so far has been covered…
Hi all. I’ve been out of pocket for a bit. @davesmopar I am very sorry you’ve been navigating the disability process. (Social worker here, it’s ridiculous that you can’t get Medicare for 24 months with SSD coming on board.) that said, I must gently ask that we try to get back closer to topic. Feel free to send Dave some support privately. Thank you.
If Robots ever do become common place in Automotive Repair, let’s hope the Robot does not confuse the human mechanic “assisting” with the repair for part of the machinery…
