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Dean Kamen is an American inventor, a robotics engineering innovator and an entrepreneur, and he has invented a robotic arm that can be controlled by the human mind and offers the same range of motions as a human arm. The delicate sensors in the fingers allow it to wave, pick up a piece of paper, hold a wine glass or even grab a grape without smashing it. Unlike the clamping claws of the past, this new robotic hand and arm, dubbed “Luke” (Skywalker) offers a amputee a more normal life.

Starting in 1975, robotic arms have been used for industrial purposes. In some cases, they do the work more quickly, more accurately and more efficiently than human workers ever could. Yet in other instances, they simply perform work that is too monotonous, dangerous or undesirable for men and women. In the US auto industry, for example, there is one robotic arm for every ten workers. Industrial robots lift heavy objects, handle chemicals, and paint and assemble parts. Rather than replace jobs, the robotic system is intended to free up more creative, fulfilling work for people instead. After all, the Czech word “robota” translates to “drudgery work.”

There are several different types of industrial robotic arms. The Cartesian Robot/Gantry Robot has a robotic arm with three prismatic joints, which makes it ideal for pick and place work, assembly, arc welding, using machine tools and applying sealant. The Cylindrical Robot is used as a welding robot, as well as for assembling, handling machine tools and die casting. The Spherical/Polor Robot works in gas welding, spot welding, arc welding, die casting and handling tools. SCARA Robots pick and place items, apply sealant, assemble products and handle tools. The Articulated Robot also has arms with at least three joints, and can assemble, gas weld, arc weld and spray paint.

The first robotic arm was a crude device, similar to arcade games. However, the latest robotics automation technology has arms functioning more like the human anatomy, able to perform a wide range of motions, with fingers waving and wrists rotating. Perhaps the greatest challenge will be to devise a way to make these devices affordable to more people so it becomes a practical solution for hospitals, small businesses and homes.