A robotic device for use in image-guided robot assisted surgical training, the robotic device comprising a manual interface structure configured to simulate handling of a surgical tool; a translational mechanism for translational motion of the manual interface structure; a rotational mechanism for rotational motion of the manual interface structure; and a spherical mechanism configured to decouple the orientation of the manual interface structure into spatial coordinates, wherein a linkage between the rotational mechanism, the rotational mechanism and the spherical mechanism, and the manual interface structure are disposed on opposing sides of an intersection of a pitch axis and a yaw axis of the spherical mechanism.