Comparison of task performance of robotic camera holders EndoAssist and Aesop

Abstract Background: Robot and operator should be considered as a system. Evaluation of this system, not of the robot itself, will assess the quality of the robot. EndoAssist and Aesop, laparoscopic camera-holder surgical robots, were compared. Methods: Diagonal, vertical, sideways, zoom and complex movement tasks were timed. The whole procedure was videotaped in a simulated environment and the time of each movement was taken from the tape. Results: EndoAssist performed simple downward, sideways and diagonal tasks as well as complex movement faster than Aesop. There was no difference between the robots for zoom movements. Aesop was quicker only in the preprogrammed mode for most complex tasks. Conclusion: EndoAssist performed better overall due to its greater accuracy and reduced number of erratic movements.