Development of a Human/Robot Control Interface

The ability of remote robotic vehicles to effectively achieve their targeted tasks is dependent, in large part, on how well they can be controlled. The human machine interface and related controls are critical to successful tele-operated and semi-autonomous operations. In Phase I, AnthroTronix, Inc. showed the feasibility of two interface concepts for robot control: 1) An instrumented glove was demonstrated as an "air joystick" enabling discrete and continuous robot control and 2) An isometric weapon-mounted joystick was designed and a concept prototype was fabricated. The focus of Phase II will be on iteratively developing and testing the devices through achieving the following objectives:  Hardware design and development: Both controllers will be prototyped and tested in an iterative fashion.  Software development: All software will be written in accordance with the Joint Architecture for Unmanned Systems (JAUS) to enable rapid development and ensure interoperability with all Department of Defense unmanned systems.  Lab-Based Testing: Operator performance will be tested in the lab using progressively more complex simulated environments.  Field Testing: Initial robot testing will take place in fabricated environments and will transition to urban test sites and integrated Future Force Warrior exercises.