Ayae Hikita

About

Ayae Hikita is a pioneering figure in surgical robotics, best known for developing intuitive human-machine interfaces that allow surgeons to control laparoscopic instruments hands-free. Her core research focuses on computer vision, human-robot interaction, and minimally invasive surgery. Hikita’s most influential contribution is the “FAce MOUSe” system (2003, 130 citations), a novel interface that tracks a surgeon’s facial movements to control the position of a laparoscope, enabling solo surgery without an assistant. This work, alongside her earlier studies on real-time visual tracking of the surgeon’s face (2001, 21 citations) and a complete laparoscope positioning system (2001, 5 citations), established a new paradigm for ergonomic, sterile control in the operating room. By replacing traditional hand-operated or voice-controlled interfaces with intuitive, vision-based tracking, Hikita directly addressed the critical need for seamless surgeon-robot communication. Her achievements have influenced the design of modern robotic surgical assistants, reducing procedural complexity and improving workflow efficiency. For students and researchers, Hikita’s work exemplifies how clever, user-centered design can transform surgical technology, making advanced robotics accessible and practical for everyday clinical use.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   FAce MOUSe: a novel human-machine interface for controlling the position of a laparoscope

   130 citations · 2003
2. 2
   Real-Time Visual Tracking of the Surgeon’s Face for Laparoscopic Surgery

   21 citations · 2001
3. 3
   A laparoscope positioning system with the surgeon's face image-based human–machine interface

   5 citations · 2001

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links