ZSOFT MACHINE
Like the ECCE2, this rather lonely looking robot, known as
Roboy, is devised to emulate human anatomy and movement,
with the aim of creating machines that can help us with our
daily tasks in everyday environments. It is designed to move
andinteractwiththephysicalworldinthesamewayasour
fleshy human bodies, and is part of a growing trend for ‘soft
robotics’ non rigid machines built from deformable
materials such as silicone and rubber.
CHANGE OF HEART 3
The S5 heart lung machine completely replaces the function
oftheheartandlungsduringcardiacsurgery,maintainingthe
circulation of blood and its oxygen content. “The heart lung
machines are the most impressive,” says Riedler. “They’re
really big, with all these screens and pipes. When the machine
is in use, the pipes are full of blood, like blood vessels.” This
particular model can continue to support the patient for over
two hours in the event of a power failure.BABY BUBBLEn
This bizarre looking apparatus is an emergency breathing
hood for infants in intensive care. “This is one of the more
staged shots, but is one of my favourites,” says Riedler. “It
provides breathing assistance for a baby, and its entire head is
in this bubble. But for me it looks like an astronaut.” The
device,whichalsocomesinadultsizes,provideswhat’s
known as ‘continuous positive airway pressure’, keeping the
lungs inflated during respiratory failure.