Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Sohyung Cho is a leading researcher at the intersection of surgical robotics and human factors engineering, with a primary focus on ergonomics in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Her work has fundamentally advanced our understanding of how robotic and laparoscopic systems affect surgeon performance, health, and training. Cho’s most influential contribution is her pioneering ergonomic analysis of robot-assisted versus traditional laparoscopic procedures, a 2014 study that has garnered 88 citations and established a benchmark for comparing physical strain and task efficiency across surgical platforms. She further demonstrated that Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) tasks can serve as an ergonomic discriminator between these modalities, a finding cited 35 times that has practical implications for surgical training and technology selection. Her 2018 study (56 citations) extended this work by examining ergonomic outcomes at various experience levels, providing critical insights for curriculum design. Beyond surgical ergonomics, Cho has also contributed to advanced manufacturing, notably proposing an ultrafast material transfer system using linear induction motors capable of 120 km/h—a concept with 8 citations that showcases her versatility in robotics. Her development of a teach-and-playback training device for MIS (7 citations) further underscores her commitment to translating research into practical tools that enhance surgical education and patient safety.