A robotic instrument system includes a master input device and an instrument driver in communication with the controller, the instrument driver having a guide instrument interface including one or more guide instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device, for manipulating a guide instrument operatively coupled to the instrument interface. The master input device includes an operator interface coupled to a linkage assembly, with one or more load cells interposed between the operator interface and the linkage assembly, wherein control signals generated by the master input device are based at least in part on output signals generated by the one or more load cells in response to movement of the operator interface relative to the linkage assembly.
