Collision avoidance, virtual guides and advanced supervisory control teleoperation techniques for high-tech construction: framework design

One of the biggest challenges to drill deeper tunnels in the future is to design new maintenance tools. Advanced teleoperation and supervisory control techniques were identified in the Telemach project as potential solutions to carry out this work. Due to limitations of the existing systems, a complete framework merging virtual reality tools and real equipment was designed. A wide range of assistances were developed to reduce the impact of secondary tasks during the maintenance process, offer helpful guiding capability and secure the task execution according to the context. The feasibility of the principle was demonstrated on key operations on a scale one mock-up of a Tunnel Boring Machine section. Attention was paid to develop generic tools, meaning that the whole high-tech construction industry could benefit from these new technologies. [Display omitted] •Advanced teleoperation techniques can be used in high-tech construction sites.•Virtual reality may be used to provide advanced functions during remote operations.•A complete framework merging information from real and virtual worlds was designed.•Validation on a Tunnel Boring Machine mock-up proved maturity of the concept.