Telerobots (remotely controlled robots) can be used not only in outer space but also in terrestrial environments that are hazardous for human beings, such as minefields or areas affected by nuclear radiation. Innovations derived from virtual reality telepresence and teleaction are also being employed in technology for medicine and production environments. The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) leads the world with its research into the field known as 'multimodal telepresence'. At the DLR Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics in Oberpfaffenhofen, an entire team of researchers is dedicated exclusively to this topic.

The DLR scientists reporting to project manager Carsten Preusche at the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics have developed a human-system interface which provides a user-friendly and intuitive form of interaction – between the person as the controlling virtual operator and a robot acting as the physical teleoperator. The person involved is linked to the system in a multimodal manner and directs the arm, finger and head movements of the telerobot in real time. The special aspect here is that human sensory inputs are transmitted back to the operator. "The operator is able to see, hear and feel the environment and the interaction of the robot with that environment. This link, involving a range of human senses, enables the human operator to feel physically present in these remote environments. We describe this technology as 'multimodal telepresence'," explains Carsten Preusche.

Human and robot united
The 'unification' of man and machine takes place in three stages. First of all, the operator slides an arm into an arm-length sleeve with vibration feedback and data gloves equipped with flexible sensors. At first glance, this sleeve resembles a thin leather glove. The operator then puts on the data goggles, in a manner similar to putting on a bicycle helmet. This head-mounted display delivers 3D imagery and records the head position in virtual space. Finally, the human operator is connected to the haptic (touch-sensitive) input station – comprising two DLR lightweight robot arms, used to control and depict forces.

Contact:
Bernadette Jung
German Aerospace Center
Corporate Communications, Oberpfaffenhofen
Tel.: +49 8153 28-2251
Fax: +49 8153 28-1243

Carsten Preusche
German Aerospace Center
Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, Robotic Systems
Tel.: +49 8153 28-3036
Fax: +49 8153 28-1134

More information:
www.dlr.de/en