Author: Allison M. Okamura
Affiliation: Johns Hopkins University
Title: Robotics with a Human Touch: Haptics and Medical Applications
Keywords: haptics, teleoperation, virtual environments, surgical robots, academic career, outreach, family
Issue Date: July 15, 2006

Bibliography: Allison M. Okamura, "Robotics with a Human Touch: Haptics and Medical Applications", Journal of the Robotics Society of Japan, Vol. 24, No. 5, pp.588-590, 2006.

Abstract:
Haptics, the sense of touch, is crucial for exploration and manipulation of the world. This article surveys the author's research efforts to develop the basic principles and tools needed to realize advanced robotic and human-machine systems capable of haptic interaction. First, she examines the acquisition and development of realistic haptic models that can be used to develop autonomous robots capable of exploring unstructured environments and virtual reality simulators for humans to use in training and planning surgical procedures. Second, she discusses the use of haptic information in human-robot systems through telemanipulation and cooperative manipulation. These systems help humans perform tasks that are too remote, highly scaled, or hazardous for direct human manipulation. Third, she addresses robot-assisted surgery. Through the control of steerable needles with image and haptic feedback, we can minimize the trauma to and improve the recovery time of patients. Finally, she describes her experience using haptics for recruiting and retention of women in engineering, as well as her own philosophies for success in the engineering/robotics field.

References:
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