Flexible system for simulating and tele-operating robots through the internet

Simulation and teleoperation tools offer many advantages for the training or learning of technological subjects, such as flexibility in time-tables and student access to expensive and limited equipment. In this paper, we present a new system for simulating and teleoperating robot arms through the Internet, which allows many users to simulate and test positioning commands for a robot by means of a virtual environment, as well as execute the validated commands in a real remote robot of the same characteristics. The main feature of the system is its flexibility in managing different robots or including new robot models and equipment. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •