FAQ

The AVATAR Project aims to develop a semi-autonomous physical robotic Avatar system that allows an operator to see, hear, and interact with a remote environment as if physically present. The goal is to create a human-robot system where the operator is “telepresent” through a humanoid robot capable of autonomous navigation, dexterous object manipulation, and social interaction with humans.

The AVATAR Project focuses on four main areas of innovation:

• Remote Tactile and Thermal Feedback: Developing new methods to transmit the sense of touch remotely, using next-generation wearable haptic gloves and heat-sensitive robotic “skin.”
• Robust Teleoperation Architecture: Creating a robust bilateral teleoperation architecture capable of compensating for communication delays and ensuring stable and precise control of the Avatar robot.
• AI-Based Teleoperation and Environmental Perception: Using AI to enhance remote control of the robot during navigation, positioning, and object manipulation, providing intelligent assistance to the operator.
• Evaluation of Robot Empathy in Social Scenarios: Studying human-robot social interaction and assessing the Avatar robot’s ability to convey empathy and create a positive social experience.

The main goals of the AVATAR Project are:

• To develop a robotic telepresence system capable of providing an immersive and intuitive experience for the operator.
• To improve the dexterity and precision of remote robotic manipulation, enabling the performance of complex tasks.
• To simplify the control of the Avatar robot through the use of Artificial Intelligence, reducing the operator’s cognitive load.
• To study human-robot social interaction and evaluate the social acceptability of the Avatar robot.

The AVATAR system will have a wide range of potential applications in various sectors, including:

• Healthcare: Providing remote medical assistance, especially in remote areas or emergency situations.
• Disaster Relief: Operating in hazardous or inaccessible environments for humans, such as after a natural disaster.
• Maintenance and Repair: Performing remote maintenance or repair operations, reducing downtime and costs.
• Social Interaction: Providing companionship and assistance to the elderly or people with disabilities.

Traditional teleoperation presents several challenges, including sensitivity to communication delays, limited tactile sensation, and high cognitive load for the operator. The AVATAR Project addresses these challenges through:

• Developing a delay-robust control architecture that ensures system stability even in the presence of latency.
• Integrating advanced tactile and thermal feedback, which enhances the operator’s perception of the remote environment.
• Using Artificial Intelligence to automate certain tasks and simplify the robot’s control.

Tactile and thermal feedback is crucial in teleoperation as it provides the operator with essential sensory information about the remote environment. This improves the dexterity and precision of manipulation, reducing the risk of errors and damage.

Artificial Intelligence is used in various ways in the AVATAR Project, including:

• Autonomous Navigation: Allowing the robot to move autonomously in the environment, avoiding obstacles and reaching points of interest.
• Manipulation Assistance: Helping the operator during object manipulation by providing suggestions and adjusting the robot’s grip.
• Emotion Recognition and Interpretation: Enabling the robot to recognize human emotions and respond appropriately.