BACKGROUND
Various intelligent physical robots based on artificial intelligence have been developed and it has been argued that they will bring about dramatic change in our lives and society. Intelligent physical robots have gained the attention of practitioners and academics in the healthcare field. Though studies have researched intelligent physical robots in specific healthcare contexts, there is a lack of a full picture of these research streams.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to synthesize extant knowledge on intelligent physical robots in the healthcare literature, with an integrative framework towards a holistic understanding of the topic and the identification of promising agendas for future research.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic literature review on intelligent physical robots in the healthcare field, following the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The steps were: database search, study selection, screening, data extraction, analysis, and synthesis.
RESULTS
We systematically reviewed a body of 95 research articles on intelligent physical robots in the healthcare context and identified the applied theories, research methods, research contexts, target users and robotic devices in the literature. We then reviewed the antecedents and consequences of intelligent physical robot use in the healthcare context and developed an integrative framework to illustrate the prior research findings on these. Building on our analysis of these results, we propose some future research agendas in the related research area with respect to research concept, research theme, research method, and technology.
CONCLUSIONS
This study contributes to the literature by summarizing the current knowledge in the field of intelligent physical robots in healthcare and by proposing potential future research agendas in the specific area based on the research findings in the literature and the identified knowledge gaps.