Comparison of Task Performance of the Camera-Holder Robots EndoAssist and Aesop

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Two robotic laparoscopic camera-holders, Endo Assist and Aesop 3000, are compared from a system design viewpoint measuring the time taken to perform certain tasks by the operator. METHODS: EndoAssist and Aesop 3000 robots were tested in a simulated environment. EndoAssist was controlled via a headset-mounted motion axis selection sensor, while Aesop was voice activated. A series of simple and complex tasks were performed moving the camera to different targets. The performance of each task was video taped, and the time from onset to the end of the task was taken from the recording. RESULTS: The results showed the EndoAssist robot to be significantly quicker for most of the tasks studied. This was attributed to increased accuracy of movement in EndoAssist in comparison to the voice recognition errors evident while operating Aesop. CONCLUSION: The time taken to perform tasks yields significantly more information about the integrated human-robot system than simply studying the speed of movement of the robot.