Teleoperation Systems are robotic control architectures enabling human operators to command and manipulate remote robots through master-slave or supervisory interfaces, transmitting operator intentions to robot actuators whilst providing sensory feedback (visual, auditory, haptic) from the robot to the operator, creating bidirectional human-machine coupling for remote physical interaction.
Semantic Classification
Content
Definition
Teleoperation Systems enable humans to control robots remotely through master-slave architectures where operator commands (master) are transmitted to robot actuators (slave), whilst robot sensors provide feedback to the operator. Applications span surgical robots da Vinci, space exploration (Mars rovers), nuclear decommissioning, and bomb disposal.
Components
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Master Interface: Joystick, haptic device, VR controller, exoskeleton
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Slave Robot: Manipulator arm, mobile platform, humanoid robot
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Communication: Network transmitting commands/sensor data
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Feedback: Visual (cameras), auditory (microphones), haptic TELE-203-haptic-feedback-telepresence
Control Paradigms
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Direct Teleoperation: Operator controls every robot motion (joystick)
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Supervisory Control: Operator issues high-level commands, robot executes autonomously
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Shared Autonomy: AI assists operator, prevents errors, suggests actions
Related Concepts
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References
- Sheridan, T. B. (1992). “Telerobotics, Automation, and Human Supervisory Control”. MIT Press.