Robotics for Healthcare

Since the first industrial robot was introduced in the 1960s, robotic technologies have contributed to enhance the physical limits of human workers in terms of repeatability, safety, durability, and accuracy in many industrial factories including those of the automobile, consumer electronics and shipbuilding industries. In the 21st century, robots are expected to be further applied in healthcare, which requires procedures that are objective, repetitive, robust and safe for users. Fueled by the rapid improvements of medical imaging and mechatronics technologies, healthcare robots have been rapidly adopted in almost every stage of the medical procedure by surgeons and physical therapists. In this chapter, we describe applications and the state of the art of healthcare robotics developed in the last decade. We focus on research and clinical activities that have followed successful demonstrations of early pioneering robots such as daVinci telesurgical robots and LOKOMAT training robots. First, we categorize major areas of healthcare robotics. Second, we discuss robotics for surgical operating rooms. Third, we review rehabilitation and assistive technologies. Finally, we summarize challenges and limitations of biomedical robotics as assistive tools for medical personnel.