Jasper’s paper, “Exploring Human Performance in Mako-Assisted Hip Replacement Surgeries,” investigates the human factors influencing surgical workflows in robot-assisted procedures. His research places a spotlight on essential non-technical skills such as communication, teamwork, and situational awareness in the context of Mako-assisted Total Hip Arthroplasty surgeries.
📹 Using detailed video analysis, Jasper and his co-authors—Professor Glenda Caldwell, Associate Professor Müge Belek Fialho Teixeira, Dr Alan Burden, and Dr Matthias Guertler—examine how surgical teams interact with the Mako robotic system. Their work identifies key opportunities to enhance human-robot collaboration in the operating theatre, contributing to improved surgical outcomes and more efficient workflows.
This research aligns with the Australian Cobotics Centre’s mission to advance safe, effective, and human-centred integration of robotics across industries.
We’re excited to welcome Vaulta as the newest industry partner of the Australian Cobotics Centre!
Led by Founder and CEO Dominic Spooner, Vaulta is an Australian company redefining battery technology with lightweight, recyclable, and repairable battery casings – helping reduce waste and extend battery life.
This partnership also offers a fantastic opportunity for our PhD researchers to engage in real-world industry placements, applying their research to cutting-edge sustainable technology.
Zongyuan Zhang is a PhD Researcher in the Biomimic Program and is currently researching the following problem: how to use robots with a non-rigidly fixed chassis to perform contact tasks on a much larger workpiece that has been placed arbitrarily on the floor of a factory.
We interviewed Zongyuan recently to find out more about why he does what he does.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your research with the Centre? Include the long-term impact of what you are doing.
I am Zongyuan Zhang from China. I completed my bachelor’s degree in mechatronic engineering (robot manufacturing direction) in China and later pursued an MSc in robotics in the UK. Currently, I am pursuing a PhD at the Australian Cobotics Centre, researching how mobile robots can perform contact tasks such as grinding and assembly. Through this research, I hope to enhance the versatility of robots, enabling them to efficiently and accurately complete tasks in various production environments, just like humans.
Why did you decide to be a part of the Australian Cobotics Centre?
Humans have undergone hundreds of millions of years of evolution, developing highly efficient and stable task execution capabilities. In contrast, robots have only been developing for a few decades. I am particularly interested in how robots can learn strategies from human task execution. The Australian Cobotics Centre conducts extensive research on human-robot collaboration, with many researchers having deep insights into the connections between humans and robots. By joining the Australian Cobotics Centre, I can further explore how robots can be inspired by human behaviour.
What project are you most proud of throughout your career and why?
Although it may not be the most academically impactful, I am particularly impressed by my project on “using a VR system to remotely control a manipulator for massage.” In this project, I used a VR headset and controllers to remotely control a manipulator to massage a patient. I explored how humans can control robots in an immersive way as if they were using their bodies. I am impressed by this project because, using robots, humans can save a significant amount of physical effort in tasks. This potential for human-robot collaboration has fueled my enthusiasm for future robotics research.
What do you hope the long-term impact of your work will be?
Humans can perform tasks in a variety of complex environments. By using mobile robots and learning from the strategies humans use to perform tasks, I hope robots can be more widely applied in various production environments, not just limited to factory settings.
Aside from your research, what topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with little to no preparation?
For example, “The future relationship between robots and humans.” There has always been considerable discussion about whether robots will take over certain human jobs. In my view, this touches on the essence of human existence, which is that existence is humanity’s primary concern. The arrival of robots has resulted in job losses for some individuals, diminishing their sense of existence. However, it also boosts overall societal work efficiency, thus enhancing the efficiency of existence for everyone. From a historical perspective, this aligns with the transition from individuals in early societies obtaining necessary survival goods through hunting to those in industrial societies relying more on the division of labour to secure necessities. This parallels the second law of thermodynamics— the increasing complexity of human society and the decrease in individual existence is natural but warrants exploration.
Researchers from the Australian Cobotics Centre, based at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), have recently concluded a collaborative project with leading medical technology company Stryker. The project focused on enhancing the adoption and operational efficiency of Stryker’s Mako robotic arm system—the most widely used orthopaedic robotic surgical platform globally.
Led by Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr Alan Burden, the research explored opportunities to expand the Mako system’s use beyond its current applications. While orthopaedic surgical robots like Mako have demonstrated improved implant accuracy and better patient outcomes, their use remains limited to a small number of procedure types.
This project aimed to address that gap by identifying workflow enhancements and multi-specialty applications that could help hospitals integrate robotic surgery more seamlessly into their day-to-day operations. By doing so, the team worked to improve hospital efficiency, increase theatre utilisation, and better highlight the financial and operational value of robotic technology.
Ultimately, the goal is to drive broader adoption of Mako and make robotic surgery more accessible across a wider range of procedures and healthcare settings.
We’re proud to celebrate the latest publication from our research team in Futures, a leading journal by Science Direct. Congratulations to PhD researcher Nisar Ahmed Channa, Program Co-Lead Professor Greg Hearn, and Associate Investigator Associate Professor Dr Luca Casali on the release of their thought-provoking article, “When socio-technical imaginaries meet the reality of adoption: Cobots in manufacturing.”
This timely study examines the complex journey of collaborative robots (Cobots) in the manufacturing sector. It sheds light on how socio-technical imaginaries—shared visions of technological futures—shape and are shaped by the real-world challenges of Cobot adoption.
The authors delve into the gap between imagined futures and on-the-ground implementation, highlighting both the promise and practical realities faced by industries integrating Cobots into their operations. Their work offers valuable insights for researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers who are navigating the evolving landscape of human-robot collaboration.
This publication reflects the Australian Cobotics Centre’s ongoing commitment to advancing knowledge at the intersection of people, technology, and the future of work.
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.
Congratulations to PhD researcher Nisar Ahmed Channa, Program Co-Lead Professor Greg Hearn, and Associate Investigator Associate Professor Dr Luca Casali on the publication of their latest journal article in Futures, a leading journal hosted by ScienceDirect.
Their paper, “When socio-technical imaginaries meet the reality of adoption: Cobots in manufacturing,” explores how collaborative robots (cobots) are being adopted within the manufacturing sector. The research examines the gap between visionary expectations—known as socio-technical imaginaries—and the practical realities of implementing cobots on the factory floor.
By investigating real-world adoption processes, the authors shed light on how these imaginaries are either supported or disrupted by technical, organisational, and cultural factors. The paper offers valuable insights for industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers aiming to foster more effective and sustainable integration of robotics in manufacturing.
🔗 When socio-technical imaginaries meet the reality of adoption: Cobots in manufacturing – Read the full article here
As part of the Australian Cobotics Centre’s (ACC) ongoing commitment to delivering real-world impact, the Centre has recently commenced a series of in-person Industry Calibration Visits to deepen engagement with our industry partners and ensure our research continues to meet evolving manufacturing needs.
These visits, led by Professor Jochen Deuse (Associate Director for Industry Engagement), are a direct outcome of the Centre’s recent internal review, which highlighted the importance of enhancing industry engagement and knowledge transfer. Jochen is joined on the visits by program leads (Glenda Caldwell, Müge Belek Fialho Teixeira, Michelle Dunn, Mats Isaksson, Markus Rittenbruch) and postdoctoral researchers (Melinda Laundon, Alan Burden, Sheila Sutjipto), reinforcing our holistic approach to cobot implementation and increasing exposure to industry settings for early career researchers. Swinburne Node Leader Mats Isaksson is working with Jochen to ensure that insights from the visits are translated into meaningful follow-up actions.
Purpose and Structure
The Calibration Visits are designed to:
Gain deeper insight into the future work requirements and priorities of our partners.
Identify potential applications for collaborative robotics (cobots) within partner operations.
Explore opportunities for onsite cobot training to build workforce capability.
Collect valuable feedback on past and current projects.
Understand how research outcomes are being used and how we can help maximise their value.
Record actual and potential impacts of our projects across partner organisations.
Each visit follows a structured agenda, including a review of projects undertaken, discussions around automation strategy and challenges, facility tours, and a debrief to identify potential cobot applications, “quick wins,” and next steps. Importantly, barriers to cobot adoption are also being documented to help guide the Centre’s future research direction.
Sites and Participation
Calibration Visits are currently being held with partners who have manufacturing capabilities. The first round of visits has included:
Virtual calibration meetings with other industry partners are scheduled for May and June, ensuring we capture a comprehensive view of partner needs across the full spectrum of our network.
These visits come at a crucial time. As highlighted in our recent newsletter, the Centre is entering its final years of operation under the current ARC funding. Demonstrating our impact—and maximising the value of our work—is more important than ever. The recent demonstration of the InfraBuild Shorts Project at the Sydney Mill is a great example of how years of research, collaboration, and co-design with industry can result in tangible, on-site innovation.
We look forward to sharing more outcomes from the Calibration Visits in the coming months and using these insights to shape the final phase of the Centre.
Cook Medical: L-R Kettina Materna, Jochen Deuse, Markus RittenbruchB&R Enclosures: Glenda Caldwell, Chris Cheers, Josiah Brooks, Jochen Deuse, Eric StockerInfraBuild: Jochen Deuse, Mats Isaksson, Michelle Dunn, Sheila Sutjipto, Andrew ThomasStryker: Alan Burden, Melinda Laundon, Jochen Deuse, Tom WilliamsonStryker: Müge Belek Fialho Teixeira, Jochen Deuse, Tom Williamson, Melinda Laundon
The event brought together leading orthopaedic surgeons, researchers, and innovators to explore new frontiers in surgical practice and technology. Representing the Centre were Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr Alan Burden and PhD Researcher Jasper Vermeulen, who shared key insights from their projects. Their presentations focused on how human-centred design and collaborative robotics can improve surgical workflows and patient outcomes—demonstrating the real-world impact of cobotics in healthcare.
PhD researcher James Dwyer also delivered a live demonstration of his latest prototype, showcasing robotic capabilities in front of an audience of practising surgeons. His work highlighted the practical potential of research-led innovation in the clinical environment.
