Long-Distance Tele-Operation of Unmanned Ground Vehicles

Strategic Insights -

Unmanned ground vehicles offer warfighters a chance to perform surveillance, route clearance, and threat defeat from a safer distance. Tele-operation enables warfighters to maintain even greater standoff distances while conducting these tasks. Researchers at the US Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) have developed a new technology that may allow these missions to be performed at an even greater distance, potentially far from the battlefield. The military currently operates unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in theater, which are controlled from the United States, and has proven to be effective in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center's (TARDEC) Ground Vehicle Robotics (GVR) team developed the Long Distance Tele-Operation (LDTO) system, which allows operators to control unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) over the internet using a cellular data signal.
  • The LDTO system has been demonstrated with the TALON, PackBot, and Omni-Directional Inspection System platforms.
  • The team worked with academic partners through the Ground Robotics Research Center (GRRC) to design a secure web portal that allows users to log into the system and operate the systems over the internet.
  • Operators have successfully used LDTO to control UAS in theater, but ground assets face obstacles such as mobility challenges, unpredictable internet connections, and latency.
  • The team is addressing latency by trying different techniques to minimize the effect on the user and is developing a user interface that is easy to use while still allowing the full range of platform capabilities.
  • Testing at TARDEC's Warren, Mich., facilities and other locations has proven that LDTO of UGVs is possible.
  • The work done by TARDEC could serve as a foundation for future fielded applications and could provide life-saving assistance to Soldiers by allowing them to complete missions while removed from harm's way.

Statistics:

  • The system has been demonstrated with 3 different platforms: TALON, PackBot, and Omni-Directional Inspection System.
  • The team has reduced latency by approximately 50% through system redesign.
  • End-to-end testing of the system has been conducted from Fort Benning, Ga., and Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.
  • The system uses cellular data signals to control UGVs over the internet.

Sources:

  • Derhun D. Sanders, Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center
  • Ty Valascho, GVR Robotics System Integration Laboratory Electrical Engineer
  • Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC)
  • Ground Robotics Research Center (GRRC)
  • Michigan State University
  • Wayne State University
  • US Army Research Laboratory