Medical and Health-Care Robotics

Allison M. Okamura, Maja J. Mataric, Henrik I. Christensen

Abstract: In contrast to the industrial robots, first developed 50 years ago, to automate dirty, dull, and dangerous tasks, today's medical and health-care robots are designed for entirely different environments and tasks—those that involve direct interaction with human users in the surgical theater, the rehabilitation center, and the family room. Commercial and research interest in medical and health-care robotics has seen substantial growth in the last decade. Telerobotic systems are being routinely used to perform surgery, resulting in shorter recovery times and more reliable outcomes in some procedures. Robotic rehabilitation systems are successfully delivering physical and occupational therapy, enabling a greater intensity of treatment that is continuously adaptable to a patient's needs. Socially assistive robotic (SAR) systems are being developed for in-clinic and in-home use in physical, cognitive, and social-exercise coaching and monitoring. Technological advances in robotics have the potential to stimulate the development of new treatments for a wide variety of diseases and disorders, improve both the standard and accessibility of care, and enhance patients' health outcomes. The aim of this article is to propose some of the most important capabilities and technical achievements of medical and health-care robotics needed to improve human health and well-being. We describe application areas, societal drivers, motivating scenarios, desired system capabilities, and fundamental research areas that should be considered in the design of medical and health-care robots.