Human-Robot Collaboration in Healthcare: A Comprehensive Review of Key Components, Applications, and Future Research

Abstract

Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) is an emerging paradigm in healthcare that leverages robotic systems to improve patient care, assist medical professionals, and optimize clinical workflows. As healthcare demands increase due to aging populations and resource limitations, HRC offers a promising solution by combining robotic precision with caregivers’ adaptability. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of HRC in healthcare, categorizing its key influencing factors into three components: (1) Healthcare Professional-Oriented, focusing on task allocation, communication, teamwork, and trust; (2) Patient-Centric, emphasizing patient safety, acceptability, interaction, and feedback; and (3) System-Critical, addressing system autonomy, adaptability, integration, and safety in medical environments. The review explores recent advancements in enabling technologies, including sensor developments, immersive interfaces, digital twin modeling, and artificial intelligence (AI), which drive more efficient and adaptive HRC. Despite these innovations, challenges such as ethical concerns, interoperability, and cost-related barriers remain obstacles to widespread implementation. Future research should focus on developing robust ethical frameworks, enhancing safety and reliability, improving interoperability, and fostering patient and caregiver acceptance through interdisciplinary collaboration.