Scalable Autonomy: The many different ways of using robots to realize telepresence in space and on Earth

Kurzfassung

Telepresence brings us closer to the people and places we want to be. Today, if we cannot be there in person, at least we can virtually. Robots have become our best partners and avatars on site. Their manipulators give them dexterity to interact with objects and environments. Wheels and legs give them the mobility to survey large areas, and a growing plethora of cameras and sensors allow them to see and touch their surroundings. These capabilities allow us to experience a different world through the robot. Paired with ever-advancing robot intelligence, we can use robots as our physical extension on-location, and delegate tasks to them to execute under our command or supervision. The idea of intuitive and easy transition between deep immersion and involvement, to physical and mental workload sharing, is the basis of Scalable Autonomy. User interface designs with different modalities including, visual, textual, auditory, force reflection, and tactile interaction, let us command and receive meaningful feedback from a robot, or a team of robots to carry out large complex tasks in different places. With them, we can explore space, rescue and repair in dangerous locations, and perform minimally invasive surgery on a patient from afar, all while being intimately involved (when we want to be). Together, we will look at the advances we have made so far in space and on Earth, and ponder the new technologies and use cases to help us be virtually present at the places we want to be, the way we want to be.