Remote control of a "Mars rover" via internet - To support education in control and teleoperations

For Mars exploration, the European Space Agency (ESA) studied a rover known as the mobile instrument deployment device (MIDD), which provides on-surface mobility functions. This paper describes the techniques used to implement the remote control environment needed to test sensor and operations concepts in simulations. To allow access for a larger user community, also Internet access has been established. This system is now also employed in education, such that students can perform hands-on experiments in robotics, telematics and control engineering. In addition there is the valuable potential for use of these telematics methods in industrial applications, such as teleservicing of remote machines. (C) 2002 International Astronautical Federation. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.