An internet-based distributed multiple-telerobot system

Abstract

Internet-based telerobotic systems have been evolving rapidly in recent years. Using Web-based technology, telerobotic systems have been shown to have an increasing potential for a variety of applications including remote control, manufacturing, surgery, training, and education. In this paper, we present an Internet-based distributed, multiple-telerobot system that enables operators to use remote robots in order to perform cooperative tasks. Several multiple-telerobot demonstration programs have been designed, including a single telerobot training program, a multiple-telerobot "group object-handling" program, and pairs of telerobots serving Internet participants playing with a Rubik's Cube to illustrate Internet-based interaction and collaboration. Experimental tests have been performed on three demonstration programs that are presented in this paper.