Day: April 16, 2021

The soft robotic cervix is formed by scientists whose connection point is the University of Tartu and research in the field of soft robotics. Soft robotics is a branch of robotics that deals with smoothing the differences between man and machine. The goal is to create robots that behave like live nature, such as humans, or more specifically, the cervix in the case of Soft robotic cervix.

The robot person comes to the rescue

Simulation training works best in training medical and healthcare professionals. Since it is not possible to invite volunteers to practice all the tasks for the learning process, a robot person comes to the rescue, who, in addition to observing, would also behave, feel and be like a real person when touched.

“We had very good contact with midwifery teachers, who confirmed that Estonia has already invested significantly in simulation training. We have entire simulation training centers that use technology not older than five years old. If something comes on the market, Estonian health care institutions will buy it. Indeed, the level of modern robotics is such that certain processes can best be learned through simulation. There is currently no robot version that simulates cervical opening, and for us, it is a springboard. We start with the birth of the robot person from the most logical part of the body, i.e., the cervix,” said Indrek Must, one of the leaders of the idea.

The market is impressively large

According to him, the cervical project could move forward as early as the end of 2021. “In 3-5 years, we can move to other parts of the body. If we can solve the cervix, then the next step will not be so big,” said Must.

The idea has potential because the market is large. There are about 100 companies producing simulation training mannequins, but only a few large companies make mannequins for midwives. For example, maternity dummies are produced by two corporations.

“In general, one modern mannequin would be needed for every 100,000 people. If we can capture a tenth of this market, it will be a very significant size. Not comparable to the world of apps, the volumes may be surprisingly larger. In addition, this is an area where it is not possible to reach a final solution with an app alone; a physical manikin is needed. What can be solved with an app has already been solved,” Must describes the market situation.

Longer perspective – exoskeleton

In the long run, in 5-10 years, the task of Soft robotic cervix is to make a human exoskeleton. “The first sore point is people with reduced mobility, to whom we can return mobility, either partially or completely. We don’t want to build a frame around a person, but a real person,” Must concludes the vision of the team.

Research-intensive projects require particularly large amounts of funding, so Prototron is one of the few funding mechanisms where laboratory-scale ideas can be proposed. Most programs already require a nearly completed product. Prototron accepted an unfinished work. As expected, everyone we talked to agreed that this was a very large investment, and based on that, we received good advice on how to go approach the next investors.

We want to share an experience story with you and hope that it will help bring business success, productivity, emotional balance, and healthier relationships to your life.

When I started a business, I worked from home, and my work computer was on all the time. There in the same room I ate, I worked, I watched TV, I worked, I played Playstation, I worked, I ate dinner, I worked, I slept, I worked, I woke up. At some point, I began to feel a slight burnout from the long working days.

What are you actually doing?

I started to watch my day and write down activities, and I discovered that even though I’m on a 24/7 workflow, I didn’t actually work all that time. My work and rest time was all mixed up. But my brain thought I was working all the time. I decided to define my working hours. I agreed with our business partners that after a certain time, we would no longer call each other about work. I planned a specific time to complete the tasks, and outside working hours, I turned off the computer and made up a rule not to view e-mails on the phone.

Now that I have defined working hours, I feel that my life is more balanced. Here are three positive changes I’ve noticed in my life with the definition of working time:

I’m more productive. The time allotted for the task helps me focus because I have set specific minutes for the task. I don’t organize my desk, sort files, or watch videos on YouTube. I perform my task.

What happens if I do not complete my task within the allotted time? – This is the best bonus with this system. If you didn’t leave your task for the last minute and didn’t have to finish it before midnight, just …… leave it unfinished. In the next work session, you dedicate to this task, it will be easier for you to get going because you have already started. For example, I have experienced that I tend to look forward to being able to start working on it again.

Time spent with loved ones is better. The bell rang, working time became a rest period, and therefore, I have now every right to drop my work-related thoughts and really be with my loved ones. Spending time with friends, family, and other important people will heal your mental health and reduce burnout.

I remember walking in the woods with a girlfriend, but I was on my job with my thoughts. I ruined the mood of my loved one by not listening to her, and I was also wasting my time because even though I was thinking about work, I didn’t really do anything. Now I think about work when the time is right, and I don’t have to bother about another possible quarrel.

I’m more motivated. My work-rest cycle really includes rest, and I can be proud of a productive workday. When I start working again, I already have tasks that are waiting to be resumed, and I get to work right away. It doesn’t take me long to decide what to do now.

As for the article you’re reading right now, I did a 45-minute work spree, followed by a 14-minute break, followed by 45 minutes of writing. I stopped writing in the middle of a sentence, a thought, a word, a syllable, put on my boots, put on my jacket, and went out for a walk. I felt so good, but deep inside, I wanted to go back and write. And then I came back to write and finished this section.

However, I do not go into extremes with following the last point, if you are having a telephone call going with a customer, for example. Believe me – they didn’t understand when I went and lay down halfway through the conversation. That has been my experience. I hope this gives you ideas if you’re in trouble with drawing a line between your work and private life.