Methods and apparatus for supporting remote control operation of devices taking into consideration communications latency, environmental conditions, and/or a task to be performed

Abstract

In various embodiments communications latency and/or bandwidth of a communications connection between a device being controlled a remote operator workstation being used to control the device is measured. One or more parameters of the system, e.g., operator control stations and/or the device, e.g., robotic device, being remotely controlled, e.g., teleoperated, are altered in response to one or more of: i) communications latency, ii) communications bandwidth, iii) a task to be performed; and/or iv) environmental conditions. By changing such parameters, things such as maximum speed of device operation, a maximum acceleration or a maximum rate of movement of a device element such as forks of a forklift the device can be controlled or limited. The changing of parameters takes into consideration one, more or all of: i) communications latency, ii) communications bandwidth, iii) a task to be performed; and/or iv) environmental conditions.