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Robotics (continued)
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Human-machine interfaces
A telerobotic system augments humans by allowing them to
extend their ability to perform complex tasks in remote loca-
tions. The technology couples the human operator's visual,
tactile, and other sensory perception functions with a remote
manipulator or mobile robot. These systems are useful for
performing tasks in environments that are dangerous or not
easily accessible for humans. Telerobotic systems are used in
nuclear handling, maintenance in space, undersea exploration,
and servicing electric transmission lines. Perhaps the most
important sensory data needed for telepresence are feedback
of visual information, robot position, body motion and forces,
as well as tactile information. Systems have been developed in
which, for example, a hand controller provides control inputs to
an articulated robotic manipulator. These systems are capable
of feeding back forces felt by the robot to actuators on the
exoskeletal controller so that the operator can "feel" the remote
environment. An increasingly widespread application is robotic
surgery.
