A technological breakthrough is underway thanks to the integration of flexibility into the usually rigid arms of robotic systems. This hybridisation, which researchers are currently working on, offers new prospects in various sectors, such as manufacturing and aerospace.

Its obvious benefits are already apparent in the medical field, for minimally invasive procedures used in diagnosis (biopsy) and treatment, particularly for cancer (brachytherapy). Using a combination of rigid robot and flexible needle, we are beginning to learn how to manipulate a needle containing several very small radioactive sources and navigate with great precision to the targets to be treated. Practitioners are seeing a significant reduction in the risk of medical errors, treatments are more effective and less traumatic for patients, all the while ensuring safeguards for healthcare personnel.

These new robots can therefore operate more naturally, more precisely and more safely in complex and difficult-to-access environments. Future challenges for researchers include remote manipulation and interfacing with artificial intelligence for semi-autonomous use.

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