Untethered control of the T-HR3 robot is done over a 5G mobile network, Master Maneuvering System, and VR headset. (Image credit: Toyota)
Think of it as a present-day Avatar platform, but instead of controlling bio-humanoid beings, you’re controlling Toyota’s T-HR3 robot from up to 6-miles away. Toyota recently announced conducting a successful demonstration of controlling the robot using their Master Maneuvering System (MMS) over Japan’s DOCOMO cellular 5G network. Previous tests were restricted to wired communication only, as other mobile standards (4G. 3G, etc.) proved to have too much latency between the pilot and the robot over long distances.
The demonstration was conducted at the DOCOMO R&D with a simulated distance between Odaiba and Oshiage- approximately 10 kilometers from each other. Testing was carried out using a 5G base station tied to the MMS along with a delay-adding device to simulate the distance between the two locations, while a 5G terminal was connected to the robot to accept the operator’s commands. Toyota also carried out a real-world demonstration at DACOMO’s Open House- controlling the T-HR3 between Tokyo Big Sight and Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo.
Diagram of the 5G test platform used for the demonstration, while real-world testing was done earlier this month at DOCOMO Open House. (Image credit: Toyota)
Both the Master Maneuvering System and the T-HR3 are outfitted with Torque Servo Modules that integrate sensors, motors, and reduction gears into a single package, and are installed into the joints of the robot and the controller station. Both the pilot and the robot share the same force (or torque), allowing the robot to correctly match the motions of the pilot. The operator also wears a VR headset or other head-mounted display to see the robot’s surroundings and is outfitted with data glove to input various commands.
According to Toyota, both companies will continue to develop the platform using different scenarios the robot may find itself in- exploration, search, and rescue, domestic services, along with a host of other applications.
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