Embodiments relate to a computer-assisted robotic system, In some embodiments, the system includes a head input device, the head input device comprising a head input sensor configured to provide head input signals indicative of a an operator's head inputs, and a foot input device comprising a foot input sensor configured to provide foot input signals indicative of the operator's foot inputs. The system further includes a controller, configured to process the head input signals and the foot input signals, and identify, based on the processed head and foot input signals, that the operator has provided a combination of head and foot inputs corresponding to a steerable viewer mode activation command. The controller is further configured to cause the robotic system to enter a steerable viewer mode in response to identifying that the operator has provided a combination.