Presentation
Ergonomics at the Intersection of Human-Robot Interaction in Healthcare – Physical and Cognitive Considerations for Safety
SessionRobotics Summit - Session 1
DescriptionRobots are transforming healthcare, revolutionizing patient care and clinical efficiency. For example, robot-assisted surgical systems enable providers to perform highly precise, minimally invasive surgeries. Robotic exoskeletons—wearable robotics designed to support physical tasks—help minimize physical strain and can even enhance strength. Beyond these, robots are used in disinfection, patient monitoring, rehabilitation, and other applications, each with unique demands on design and integration.
Human factors engineering plays a critical role in the research, development, and deployment of these technologies. A growing body of human-robot interaction research explores key issues such as user experience, human-robot teaming, trust in automation, data security, and ethics. However, different robotic applications bring unique human factors challenges.
For instance, robot-assisted surgery emphasizes surgical communication, cognitive workload, and skill acquisition—concerns that are less prominent in wearable or service robots. Similarly, exoskeleton design prioritizes physical comfort and fit, while these factors are less relevant for disinfection robots or patient monitoring systems. These diverse applications highlight the breadth of ergonomic considerations needed for effective integration of robotics in healthcare.
For example, robot-assisted surgery places significant emphasis on managing cognitive workload, surgical team communication, and skill acquisition. These factors are less critical for service robots, where usability and interaction simplicity are often the priorities. Similarly, exoskeleton design must prioritize physical comfort, adjustability, and fit to ensure safe and effective use, while disinfection or patient monitoring robots face challenges related to navigation and environmental integration.
This panel brings together certified professional ergonomists and practicing clinicians from academia, healthcare institutions, and industry to explore the diverse physical and cognitive ergonomic challenges posed by robotics in clinical environments such as surgery and in emergency care. Panelists will discuss emerging trends, possible practical solutions, and lessons learned across various systems. The goal is to identify and share best practices that enhance patient care while ensuring the health, safety, and efficiency of clinicians working alongside robotic technologies.
Human factors engineering plays a critical role in the research, development, and deployment of these technologies. A growing body of human-robot interaction research explores key issues such as user experience, human-robot teaming, trust in automation, data security, and ethics. However, different robotic applications bring unique human factors challenges.
For instance, robot-assisted surgery emphasizes surgical communication, cognitive workload, and skill acquisition—concerns that are less prominent in wearable or service robots. Similarly, exoskeleton design prioritizes physical comfort and fit, while these factors are less relevant for disinfection robots or patient monitoring systems. These diverse applications highlight the breadth of ergonomic considerations needed for effective integration of robotics in healthcare.
For example, robot-assisted surgery places significant emphasis on managing cognitive workload, surgical team communication, and skill acquisition. These factors are less critical for service robots, where usability and interaction simplicity are often the priorities. Similarly, exoskeleton design must prioritize physical comfort, adjustability, and fit to ensure safe and effective use, while disinfection or patient monitoring robots face challenges related to navigation and environmental integration.
This panel brings together certified professional ergonomists and practicing clinicians from academia, healthcare institutions, and industry to explore the diverse physical and cognitive ergonomic challenges posed by robotics in clinical environments such as surgery and in emergency care. Panelists will discuss emerging trends, possible practical solutions, and lessons learned across various systems. The goal is to identify and share best practices that enhance patient care while ensuring the health, safety, and efficiency of clinicians working alongside robotic technologies.
Event Type
Robotics Workshop Submission
TimeSunday, March 309:30am - 10:30am EDT
LocationHarbour A/B