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In recent years, with the current advancements in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), robots have the potential to support the field of healthcare. Robotic systems are often introduced in the care of the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities, in hospitals, in rehabilitation and walking assistance, and other healthcare situations. In this survey paper, the recent advances in robotic technology applied in the healthcare domain are discussed. The paper provides detailed information about state-of-the-art research in care, hospital, assistive, rehabilitation, and walking assisting robots. The paper also discusses the open challenges healthcare robots face to be integrated into our society.

Objective: In this paper, we present a multimodal robot-based framework to investigate how physical and mental fatigue affect task performance, and how it relates to subjective self-reports.Methodology: In this pilot study, seven healthy participants underwent the robot-based assessment. In each session, the participants performed a series of reaching tasks, including a task with cognitive demands, by moving the end effector of the Barrett WAM arm in the direction of the virtual targets displayed on a computer screen. Multimodal data, including EEG, EMG and user performance data like reaction time, number of targets, trajectory of the robot path, were recorded for further analysis.Results: Based on the analysis of subjective user self-report and objective task performance metrics, we observe that the user's perceived level of task difficulty increased over time while objective task performance also improved over time. We speculate that this might be due to the effect of fatigue on the user's perception of task difficulty.Conclusion: Further studies are required, with a more diverse population, to understand the impact of fatigue on the user's cognitive and physical ability. We must also evaluate how contextual parameters may affect task performance and fatigue.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord. Although this condition cannot be cured, proper treatment of persons with MS (PwMS) can help control and manage the relapses of several symptoms. In this survey article, we focus on the different technologies used for the assessment and rehabilitation of motor impairments for PwMS. We discuss sensor-based and robot-based solutions for monitoring, assessment and rehabilitation. Among MS symptoms, fatigue is one of the most disabling features, since PwMS may need to put significantly more intense effort toward achieving simple everyday tasks. While fatigue is a common symptom across several neurological chronic diseases, it remains poorly understood for various reasons, including subjectivity and variability among individuals. To this end, we also investigate recent methods for fatigue detection and monitoring. The result of this survey will provide both clinicians and researchers with valuable information on assessment and rehabilitation technologies for PwMS, as well as providing insights regarding fatigue and its effect on performance in daily activities for PwMS.

Vocational assessment is the process of identifying and assessing an individual’s level of functioning in relation to vocational preparation. In this research, we have designed a framework to evaluate and train the visual working memory and attention level of users by using a humanoid robot and a brain headband sensor. The humanoid robot generates a sequence of colors and the user performs the task by arranging the colored blocks in the same order. In addition, a task-switching paradigm is used to switch between the tasks and colors to give a new instruction to the user by the robot. The humanoid robot displays guidance error detection information, observes the performance of users during the assessment and gives instructive feedback to them. This research describes the profile of cognitive and behavioral characteristics associated with visual working memory skills, selective attention and ways of supporting the learning needs of workers affected by this problem. Finally, the research concludes the relationships between visual working memory and attentional level during different level of the assessment.

Extensive research has been carried out in using computer-based techniques to train and prepare workers for various industry positions. Most of this research focuses on how to best enable the workers to perform a type of task safely and efficiently. In fact, many of the accidents in manufacturing and construction environments are due to the lack of proper training needed for employees. In this study, we compare the impact of three types of training approaches on the planning and problem-solving abilities of a trainee while he/she performs the Towers of Hanoi (TOH) task. The three approaches are (a) traditional (with a human trainer), (b) gamification (game-based training simulation), and (c) computer-aided training. The aim of this study is to evaluate a worker’s level of functioning and problem-solving skills based on a specific training approach. Exact assessment of functional capacities is an important prerequisite to ensure effective and personalized training. The study uses workplace simulation to collect different types of performance data and assess the impact of these training approaches.