Robotics and Innovative Applications for Healthcare

Dear Colleagues,

The integration of robotics and innovative technologies has transformed healthcare, addressing critical needs in patient care, diagnosis, and rehabilitation. As healthcare demands continue to rise, driven by an aging population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, there is an urgent need for research into advanced technological solutions that can enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility of medical services. Robotics combined with allied technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and virtual reality (VR), offers significant potential to revolutionize healthcare practices by enabling automated, precise, and personalized interventions. These technologies promise to improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden on healthcare professionals by automating routine tasks and providing advanced decision support.

This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and developments in robotics and related technologies for healthcare, showcasing innovations aiming to reshape the future of medical care and rehabilitation. We invite contributions that explore novel algorithms, robotic systems, game-based applications, and AI-driven approaches that address current challenges and create new opportunities in the healthcare sector.

We welcome the submission of original works, reviews, case studies, pilot studies, and short communications, with topics including but not limited to the following:

• Rehabilitation robotics, exoskeletons, and assistive technologies;
• Tele-rehabilitation and remote sensorimotor assessment;
• Applications of VR and gaming-technology for healthcare
• Integration of smart sensors and IoT in healthcare;
• Smart healthcare environments (autonomous robots, logistics, IoT, and data management);
• Automation of clinical procedures;
• AI-based adaptive rehabilitation therapies;
• AI-driven diagnostic and monitoring systems in personalized medicine;
• AI and robotics in mental health and cognitive therapies;
• Development of AI-assisted robotic surgical systems;
• Ethical, legal, and social implications of robotics and AI in healthcare;
• Future trends and emerging technologies in healthcare robotics.

Dr. Edwin Daniel Oña Simbaña
Dr. Alberto Jardón Huete
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• robotics
• rehabilitation
• assistive technology
• artificial intelligence
• smart healthcare
• personalized medicine