{"id":21051,"date":"2026-09-30T17:31:03","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T09:31:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/?page_id=21051"},"modified":"2026-09-30T17:31:03","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T09:31:03","slug":"robotic-teleop","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/projects\/innovating-for-smarter-living\/robotic-teleop\/","title":{"rendered":"Haptic synchronisation for robotic teleoperation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n\t\t\tHaptic synchronisation for robotic teleoperation\t<\/h2>\n\t

Learning to operate a robotic surgical system requires surgeons to develop precise control of instruments in three-dimensional space while working from a two-dimensional display. However, novice doctors currently lack a systematic training approach for developing this skill on actual robotic surgery systems, particularly for depth perception and movement. This project investigates whether haptic guidance can provide a more effective way of developing these skills.<\/p>\n

The team developed a haptic training platform using a Phantom Omni device and Unity simulation, in which trainees navigate a virtual surgical instrument towards a target anatomy while avoiding critical structures. Three training approaches were compared: self-directed practice, pre-recorded waypoint guidance and real-time expert-driven haptic correction.<\/p>\n

Results showed that real-time expert-driven haptic correction significantly improved task speed compared with self-directed training, while pre-recorded waypoint guidance did not. However, improvements in speed were accompanied by reduced precision, revealing a speed-accuracy trade-off. These findings suggest that one-way haptic guidance alone may be insufficient and point towards bilateral haptic coupling, where expert and trainee can feel each other’s movements, as a promising direction for developing more effective collaborative training for robotic surgery.<\/p>\n\t

Project Team<\/h3>\n

Students:<\/h4>\n