Leveraging Automotive Innovations for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Healthcare

Abstract

Integrating smart materials and autonomous systems from the automotive industry into healthcare is poised to revolutionize medical practices, particularly in diagnostics and surgical interventions. This article explores how innovations such as Shape Memory Alloys (SMA), Piezoelectric Materials, Electrochromic Materials, and Self-Healing Polymers, originally developed for automotive applications, can enhance the precision, safety, and efficiency of healthcare when combined with artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. By drawing parallels between the automotive and healthcare industries, this review highlights key lessons in interoperability, safety, human-machine collaboration, and continuous improvement that can be applied to medical technologies. For instance, SMA-based surgical tools can adapt to complex anatomical structures guided by AI in real-time. At the same time, piezoelectric materials enable haptic feedback in robotic surgery, providing surgeons with a tactile sense of tissue interaction. Additionally, electrochromic smart surgical glasses can dynamically adjust tinting during procedures, and self-healing polymers ensure the durability of wearable health monitoring devices. These cross-industry innovations offer a pathway to more personalized, efficient, and reliable healthcare delivery. However, challenges remain in standardizing protocols, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering user acceptance. The article concludes that ongoing research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a focus on scalability will be essential in fully realizing the potential of these technologies in healthcare.