DRIVER: Data-Rich Interface for Vehicle Remote Operation

Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) will play an important role in the nation’s next-generation ground forces. Control of UGVs is accomplished remotely, through a command system that allows an operator(s) to receive sensor data from the UGV and send motion commands to the vehicle. Remote control (i.e. teleoperation) of a UGV is a physically and cognitively complex task, because the operator must command the vehicle based on limited sensory information. This problem is exacerbated when an operator attempts to command a vehicle traveling at high speed. Bridging the gap between current teleoperation systems and a system that can enable robust high-speed teleoperation requires innovation in several areas, including visual sensing, auditory and tactile sensing, and embedded control algorithms. To address the above challenges, Quantum Signal work proposes to develop the DRIVER system for high speed UGV teleoperation. The system will be easy to operate, and will enable safe operation of UGVs at high speeds by: 1) Providing a diverse, data-rich sensory environment to the operator via a compact, man-portable interface; 2) Seamlessly embedding intelligent stability control algorithms in the operator interface; 3) Efficiently transmitting sensor feedback and driver commands over a wireless network with limited bandwidth.