It was a programme that included engineering familiarisation, medical, survival and robotics training as well as microgravity or "zero-g" flights and sessions in a giant pool practising spacewalking.

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Medical device company Restoration Robotics has announced that it has received clearance from the FDA to market its ARTAS robot for use during hair transplant procedures.

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The second part of his big-tent party's proposed "new deal" includes pumping money into renewable energy research and other green technologies, as well as money for robotics and medical research, in an attempt to give Japan the lead in emerging industries also identified by America's neo-New Dealers as promising industries.

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This will require a confluence of a wide range of approaches from engineering (electronics, robotics and ergonomics) and medical fields.

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