Controlling semi-autonomous or fully remotely controlled robotic systems is a complex task to perform. With increasing system complexity, more and more subsystems need to be controlled in conjunction in order to solve a given task, while having to monitor multiple sensory displays and the robot itself at the same time. Due to the complexity and amount of available subsystems, operators often have to navigate traditional user interfaces consisting of complex menus, tabs and displays in order to change important runtime parameters, whereby several parameters have to be adjusted shortly after one another. Additionally, in order to navigate the control interface the operator is required to shift his attention away from the robot and focus on the interface.
This diploma thesis aims to develop a data glove based control interface utilizing a virtual environment including a virtual replication of the robotic system as a fully interactive control device. In this first talk, the projects motivation, goals and solution approaches will be presented.