Check this page often for the latest news about Engineering Services Inc. (ESI). Any additions or changes to this site will be listed on this What's New page as they occur.
April, 2008
Business development in China
ESI has made business contacts in the People’s Republic of China for collaboration in educational robotics and mobile robotics.
Further development on MRI-guided surgical robot
ESI’s Robotics & Automation division has completed the conceptual design of the MRI-P’s (Prostate Surgical Robot for MRI compatibility) trocar unit to incorporate a water cooling catheter.
New mobile robot for defense applications
ESI’s Mobile Robots division has completed the machining of a new mobile robot for defense applications. Work continues on integration.
ESI Active Materials group working on heat-sensing fabric
ESI’s Active Materials division is working on a heating-actuating-sensing (HASCO) fabric which composes smart materials and heating substrates.
March, 2008
MRI-guided robot prototype for brain surgery delivered
Anviv Mechatronics has delivered an MRI-guided robot prototype for brain surgery to the University of Toronto.
ESI Active Materials group completes phase 3 development of neck support and injury prevention systems
ESI’s Active Materials group has completed Phase 3 development of Neck Support and Injury Prevention systems to enable simulator and in-flight testing. The work was performed under contract with the Department of National Defence. Smart Materials are used in this work.
ESI obtains latest US patent
U.S. Patent #7,346,429 has been awarded to ESI for the invention of a Mobile Robot Hybrid Communication Link.
Updates from ESI’s Robotics & Automation division
ESI’s Robotics & Automation division has completed the development of Ultrasound Image-Guided Manual Instrumented Focal Ablation Tool (version 1 prototype) and successfully demonstrated its concept at Princess Margaret Hospital.
ESI’s Robotics and Automation division has received a contract from Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) to develop two robotic systems for internal inspection and removal of debris from CANDU nuclear reactors.
Updates from ESI’s Mobile Robots division
ESI’s Mobile Robots division has received a contract from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for the purchase of a Mobile Robot for Hazardous Tasks (MR-7).
ESI’s Mobile Robots division has completed the detailed design of a new mobile robot for defense applications.
February, 2008
ESI Active Materials group completes programming for development of neck support and injury prevention systems
ESI’s Active Materials group has completed the microcontroller-based control software programming for the development of Neck Support and Injury Prevention systems to enable simulator and in-flight testing.
ESI obtains latest patent
Canadian Patent #2,294,712 has been awarded to ESI for the invention of a Reconfigurable Modular Joint and Robots Produced Therefrom.
ESI Biotechnology division finalizes commissioning of robotic cell for Bruce Power
ESI's Biotechnology Automation division is finalizing the commissioning of a Robotic Cell for Sample Preparation for Liquid Scintillation Analysis in Nuclear Reactors Plant (the equipment was developed under contract from Bruce Power). Final process conversion by Bruce Power is expected within the next few months.
ESI Robotics & Automation division completes development of second robotic system to inspect and retrieve debris from CANDU reactors, and EMI testing of MRI-guided surgical robot
ESI’s Robotics & Automation division has completed the development of the second of two robotic systems for internal inspection and debris retrieval from CANDU nuclear reactors. The equipment is scheduled for delivery to Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) in the next few weeks. ESI is also in contract negotiations with AECL to supply two additional systems.
ESI’s Robotics & Automation division has completed Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) testing at Toronto General Hospital's MRI facility on the Phase 2 development of the MRI-guided surgical robot for prostate surgery development.
January, 2008
ESI Active Materials group works on proprietary smart material technology, continues development of neck support and injury prevention systems
ESI’s Active Materials group is developing proprietary technology for Smart Materials – adaptive textiles – for defense and security applications.
ESI’s Active Materials group has also completed the conceptual design on the development of Neck Support and Injury Prevention systems to enable simulator and in-flight testing. Also completed are the circuit board design and manufacturing, control box design, and EMI testing.
Testing of MRI-guided surgical robot completed
ESI’s Robotics & Automation division has completed the testing of the MRI-P: Prostate Surgical Robot for MRI compatibility. The results are very promising.
Retrofit under way for MR-7 - Mobile Robot for Hazardous Tasks
ESI’s Robotics & Automation division is retrofitting the MR-7 Mobile Robot for Hazardous Tasks for potential sales.
New mobile robot conceptual design completed
ESI’s Mobile Robots division has completed the conceptual design of a new mobile robot, with high mobility and compact transmission system, for defense applications.
December, 2007
ESI Active Materials group starts work on a new smart material, continues development of neck support and injury prevention systems
ESI’s Active Materials group has initiated work on a new smart material. The work is a continuation of research done in 2006.
ESI’s Active Materials group has also initiated the electromagnetic interference on the development of Neck Support and Injury Prevention systems to enable simulator and in-flight testing. The work is performed under contract with the Department of National Defence.
ESI Security Technology group continues Urbex Blast Analysis software upgrades
ESI’s Security Technology group continues its work on upgrading the Urbex Blast Analysis Software for integration with various spatial databases (for example, Google Earth).
ESI Biotechnology division considers new laboratory automation technologies
ESI’s Biotechnology Automation division has reserved its right of first refusal on a number of new laboratory automation technologies disclosed by the University of Toronto’s Microfluidics Laboratory.
Laser thermal testing of MRI-guided surgical robot completed
ESI’s Robotics & Automation division has completed robot-based laser thermal testing at Toronto General Hospital’s MRI facility on the Phase 2 development of the MRI-guided surgical robot for prostate surgery development. Work on 3D temperature maps is now set to begin.
ESI continues assembly of second robotic system to inspect and retrieve debris from CANDU reactors
ESI’s Robotics & Automation division continues their work on the assembly of the second of two robotic systems for internal inspection and debris retrieval from CANDU nuclear reactors. The equipment is scheduled for delivery to Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) in January 2008. ESI is also in discussions with AECL to develop additional tools.
ESI Mobile Robots division wins contract to develop small mobile robot for IED handling
ESI’s Mobile Robots division has been awarded a contract by Foster Miller Inc. (Waltham, Massachusetts) for the development of a Small Mobile Robot for IED handling.
Anviv Mechatronics
- The design of a new MRI-based robot prototype for brain surgery is being developed under contract with the University of Toronto
- The HMR (Hybrid Mobile Robot) has been delivered to University of Toronto.
- The R-LMA (a robot with a variable configuration track system and new open architecture control system) has been delivered to Ryerson University.
November, 2007
ESI Active Materials group prototypes neck support and injury prevention systems
ESI’s Active Materials group has completed the control circuit prototyping on the development of Neck Support and Injury Prevention systems to enable simulator and in-flight testing. The work is performed under contract with the Department of National Defence.
ESI’s Active Materials group presented its Smart Materials technology to a major US Defense contractor who visited ESI recently.
ESI Security Technology group’s MBEES Military Infrastructure Blast Analysis software garners more attention
ESI’s Security Technology group’s work on MBEES - Military Infrastructure Blast Analysis has been extended to include additional features such as new structures and materials. The demand for the software, from the military and others, continues to grow rapidly. Several training courses have been conducted for military engineers and the software has been included as a training course in Canadian military schools. Finally, MBEES software was named as a “2006 Success Story” by the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG), as described here. (Acrobat [PDF] file, ~570K)
ESI delivers TJ1 hydraulic manipulator for safe tree maintenance to AVS Australia
ESI’s Robotics and Automation division delivered the TJ-1 (a remote master-slave hydraulic manipulator for trimming trees safely around live electrical distribution wires) to AVS Australia.
Phase 2 testing of MRI-guided surgical robot completed
ESI’s Robotics & Automation division has completed extensive in-vitro testing at Toronto General Hospital’s MRI facility on the Phase 2 development of the MRI-guided surgical robot for prostate surgery development.
ESI’s Mobile Robots division prepares to deliver several robots
ESI’s Mobile Robots Division is set to deliver the HMR (Hybrid Mobile Robot) to the University of Toronto.
ESI’s Mobile Robots Division is also set to deliver the R-LMA (a robot with a variable configuration track system and new open architecture control system) to Ryerson University.
ESI’s Mobile Robots Division also recently hosted STK (a division of ST of Singapore) to discuss collaboration in Mobile Robotics.
October, 2007
ESI Active Materials group to develop neck support and injury prevention systems for Department of National Defence, also in discussions with Lockheed Martin
ESI’s Active Materials group has been awarded a contract with the Department of National Defence for Phase 3 development of Neck Support and Injury Prevention systems to enable simulator and in-flight testing. Smart Materials are used in this work.
ESI’s Active Materials group also hosted Lockheed Martin Corporation to discuss potential cooperation on the development of Neck Support and Injury Prevention systems to avert ejection injuries, again using Smart Materials.
ESI Security Technology group continues to upgrade Urbex Blast Analysis and MBEES Military Infrastructure Blast Analysis software
ESI’s Security Technology group is continuing the work on upgrading the Urbex Blast Analysis Software for urban infrastructure to handle building structures with general shapes. We also expect to integrate the software with Autodesk Map 3D to access various spatial databases. ESI also continues to collaborate with CAE - Division of Professional Services to produce re-enactments of terrorist attack scenarios related to downtown Toronto.
ESI’s Security Technology group’s work on MBEES - Military Infrastructure Blast Analysis also continues as the demand for the software, from the military and others, is rapidly growing.
ESI starts to assemble second robotic system to inspect and retrieve debris from CANDU reactors
ESI’s Robotics & Automation division has started the assembly of the second of two robotic systems for internal inspection and debris retrieval from CANDU nuclear reactors. The equipment is scheduled for delivery to Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) in late 2007. The first robotic system has been seamlessly integrated into the AECL tools and support infrastructure.
ESI rejuvenates TJ1 project to put hydraulic manipulators in service to trim trees in Australia
ESI's Robotics & Automation division has rejuvenated the TJ1 project (a remote master-slave hydraulic manipulator for trimming trees safely around live electrical distribution wires). The robot will be put into service in Australia in late 2007. Click here for more information on the TJ1.
Phase 2 development of MRI-guided surgical robot proceeds
ESI’s Robotics & Automation division has initiated Phase 2 of the MRI-guided surgical robot for prostate surgery development. Pre-clinical tests have been performed and will continue at Princess Margaret Hospital and Toronto General Hospital.
ESI collaborates with Ryerson University on the MRR (Modular and Reconfigurable Robot)
ESI’s Mobile Robots Division’s collaboration with Ryerson University on the MRR (an expandable, accurate and fault tolerant Modular and Reconfigurable Robot) is progressing well. Ryerson has integrated ESI technology and its new technology of control in a 3 joint robot.
ESI’s Mobile Robots division makes great progress on other mobile robot projects and initiatives
ESI’s Mobile Robots division continues the development of a Small Mobile Robot for IED handling with Foster Miller Inc. of Waltham, Massachusetts.
In addition, ESI’s Mobile Robots Division has completed the detailed design and machining on the HMR (Hybrid Mobile Robot). Work continues on the control system software, testing, and integration.
ESI’s Mobile Robots Division has also completed the detailed design and machining of the R-LMA (a robot with a variable configuration track system and new open architecture control system). Work continues on testing and integration.
September, 2007
ESI starts development on second robotic system to inspect and retrieve debris from CANDU reactors
ESI’s Robotics & Automation division has initiated the development of the second of two robotic systems for internal inspection and debris retrieval from CANDU nuclear reactors. The equipment is scheduled for delivery to Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) in late 2007.
Work continues on ESI small mobile robot (LMA-SOTAL)
ESI’s Mobile Robots division has completed the integration and testing of a new small mobile robot LMA-SOTAL. The robot is scheduled for delivery to the customer in early September 2007.
ESI's Mobile Robots division is also currently developing version 2 of ESI’s basic LMA mobile robot and its associated arm.
Development and testing of MRI-guided surgical robot continues
Phase 1 of the MRI-guided surgical robot for prostate surgery development has been successfully completed. The testing has been performed in one of the MRI closed bore units at the Toronto General Hospital using various mock-ups. Phase 2 will kick off in September, during which the objective is to test the robot on cadavers.
August, 2007
Learn more about ESI’s Security and Defense division’s Smart Materials technology development at www.esiactivematerials.com.
July, 2007
ESI starts new development of a Small Mobile Robot for IED handling
ESI’s Mobile Robots division has initiated the development of a Small Mobile Robot for IED handling with Foster Miller Inc. of Waltham, Massachusetts.
ESI collaborates with hospitals on surgical robot for prostate oncology
The prototype and testing of the MRI-P, a surgical robot for prostate oncology operating inside a closed bore MRI, has been completed. The work is performed in collaboration with medical practitioners from UHN-Princess Margaret Hospital and Toronto General Hospital.
ESI completes development of first of two robotic systems for internal inspection and debris retrieval from CANDU reactors
ESI’s Robotics and Automation division has completed the development of the first of two robotic systems for internal inspection and debris retrieval from CANDU nuclear reactors. The equipment is developed under contract from Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL). The robotic system will become part of a tool package used during reactor refurbishment operations at the Point Lepreau Generating Station in New Brunswick.
ESI and TimeScales Scientific Ltd. win contract for development of Military Blast Effects Expert System (MBEES)
ESI’s Security and Defence Division in collaboration with TimeScales Scientific Ltd. of Medicine Hat, Alberta, has been awarded a contract with the Department of National Defence for Phase 4 of the development of a Military Blast Effects Expert System (MBEES).
June, 2007
Take a look at a new ESI presentation, based on Dr. Goldenberg's recent address to the Heidelberg Innovations Forum in Germany:
Competitive Industries Need Innovative Solutions(Acrobat [PDF] format, including video links - ~7.1 Mb)
May, 2007
Andrew Goldenberg profiled in doIT magazine
Dr. Goldenberg gave the keynote address at the recent Heidelberg Innovations Forum in Heidelberg, Germany. He was also profiled while making that address for German technology magazine doIT-magazin. Click here to download the article (in German and in PDF format).
March-April, 2007
ESI launches new corporate and product technology videos
Click the following links to view ESI’s new videos, all available on the ESI Web site.
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