Remote Support for Automated Vehicle Operations

Abstract

What is remote support, why is needed and who is the service owner? Remote support comes in different shapes and forms. Typically, a remote human operator provides instructions, permission or waypoints to the vehicle, or remotely drive it. However, the purpose and tasks of the operator are very diverse for different modes and environments: ports and yards, (on-demand) taxi services and low-speed passenger shuttles, long-haul commercial trucks, road-based last-mile/middle-mile delivery vehicles, sidewalk delivery robots, privately owned vehicles, autonomous vessels and air mobility, on confined areas, segregated and shared infrastructure. Moreover, there is an intuitive synergy with road traffic management and fleet management services, and eventually multi-domain integrated operations management centers. This chapter aims to increase awareness and understanding of remote support by sharing experiences and achievements alongside discussion of technological requirements, operational aspects and future research needs.