Comparison of task performance of the camera-holder robots EndoAssist and Aesop.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
North of England Wolfson Centre for Minimally Invasive Therapy, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK. peballester@yahoo.co.uk
Pedro Ballester
PB
Nebot
Yatin
Y
Jain
Kevin
K
Haylett
Robert
R
Stone
Rory
R
McCloy
D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014584:User-Computer Interface