QoS Control in Remote Robot Operation with Force Feedback

Abstract

Recently, many researchers focus on studies of remote robot operation with force feedback. By using force feedback, since users can touch remote objects and feel the shape, weight, and softness of each object, the efficiency and accuracy of operation can be largely improved. However, when the haptic information such as force and/or position information is transmitted over a QoS (Quality of Service) non-guaranteed network like the Internet, QoE (Quality of Experience) and stability may seriously deteriorate. Therefore, it is important to carry out QoS control and stabilization control together to solve the problems. In this chapter, we mainly focus on QoS control. We also introduce our remote robot system with force feedback which we constructed to study QoS control and stabilization control by experiment. In the system, a user operates a remote industrial robot with a force sensor by using a local haptic interface device while monitoring the robot operation by a video camera. We handle two types of operation; operation with a single remote robot system and that between two remote robot systems. We explain several types of QoS control which we have proposed so far for remote robot operation with force feedback. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future directions of QoS control in remote robot operation with force feedback.