The primary driving application of our current research is the development of a generic surgical training simulator for hysteroscopy. A key target is to go beyond rehearsal of basic manipulative skills, and enable training of procedural skills like decision making and problem solving. In this respect, the sense of presence plays an important role in the achievable training effect. To enable use...

In this paper, we present a new humanoid robot currently being developed for applications in human-centered environments. In order for humanoid robots to enter human-centered environments, it is indispensable to equip them with manipulative, perceptive and communicative skills necessary for real-time interaction with the environment and humans. The goal of our work is to provide reliable and hi...

Across the brains of different bird species, the cerebellum varies greatly in the amount of surface folding (foliation). The degree of cerebellar foliation is thought to correlate positively with the processing capacity of the cerebellum, supporting complex motor abilities, particularly manipulative skills. Here, we tested this hypothesis by investigating the relationship between cerebellar fol...

This paper explores Gesture-Based Programming as a paradigm for programming robotic agents. Gesture-Based Programming is a form of programming by human demonstration that focuses the development of robotic systems on task experts rather than programming experts. The technique relies on the existence of previously acquired robotic skills (which are called "sensorimotor primitives") which are app...

This paper explores Gesture-Based Programming as a paradigm for programming robotic agents. Gesture-Based Programming is a form of programming by human demonstration that focuses the development of robotic systems on task experts rather than programming experts. The technique relies on the existence of previously acquired robotic skills (called “sensorimotor primitives”) which are intended to b...

In our current research we examine the integration of haptic interfaces into augmented reality setups. The ultimate target of these endeavours is the application of the framework to training of manipulative skills in surgical environments. To this end, highly accurate calibration, system stability, and low latency are indispensable prerequisites. Therefore, we developed a new calibration method...

CONTEXT One of the goals of providing manipulative treatment such as osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is to restore maximal, pain-free movement of the musculoskeletal system and to enhance neuromuscular function. Anecdotally, some athletes have reported that their athletic performance improves after manipulative treatment. OBJECTIVE To develop preliminary data to gain more understandi...

Manipulative therapy has known a parallel development throughout many parts of the world. The earliest historical reference to the practice of manipulative therapy in Europe dates back to 400 BCE. Over the centuries, manipulative interventions have fallen in and out of favor with the medical profession. Manipulative therapy also was initially the mainstay of the two leading alternative health c...

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of verbal and visual cues on 28 nondysfunctional 3- and 4-year-old children's performance of in-hand manipulation skills. During the uncued version of the test (pretest), the children were presented with play activities known to elicit in-hand manipulation skills in young children but were given no cues for specific manipulative skill use. W...