POSTED: 14 Apr, 2025

Last week, researchers from the Australian Cobotics Centre were proud to present their work at the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) Queensland Orthopaedic Research Fund (QORF) 2025 Meeting, held at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane.

This annual event brings together clinicians, researchers, and industry professionals from across the country to explore the latest developments in orthopaedic research and practice. As part of the program, several members of the Cobotics Centre team showcased how collaborative robotics and human-centred design can support and enhance surgical workflows.

Dr Alan Burden, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, and PhD researcher Jasper Vermeulen shared insights from their current projects, which focus on the integration of collaborative robotic systems in clinical settings. Their presentations highlighted how designing with people in mind—especially surgeons—can lead to more effective and efficient outcomes in the operating theatre.

PhD researcher James Dwyer delivered a live demonstration of his prototyping project, offering attendees a hands-on look at the kinematic puppet—a novel tool that allows users to explore human-robot interaction through physical manipulation and virtual simulation. The system is designed to make the process of testing and refining robotic motion more accessible and intuitive, particularly in the context of Robot-Assisted Surgery (RAS).

This interactive platform enables users to guide a virtual robot arm using a physical puppet made from 3D-printed joints and PVC linkages, supported by a digital twin developed in Unreal Engine. The result is a powerful tool that makes it easier for researchers and clinicians to collaborate and experiment with surgical robotics in real time.

Those interested in a deeper dive into this work can read more in a recent publication by James Dwyer and Dr Valeria Macalupu, titled: “What Would Jim Henson Do? Roleplaying Human-Robot Collaborations Through Puppeteering”
You can access the full paper HERE.

We’re grateful to the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) and the ARC Training Centre for Joint Biomechanics for including our researchers in the QORF 2025 program. It’s opportunities like these that allow our team to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and help shape the future of surgical innovation in Australia.