(1988-1991)
The Teleoperator/Teleoresence System / Concept Verification Model (TOPS/CVM) is the latest step in the continual effort at SSC San Diego to develop advanced remotely operated undersea work systems. The thrust of this particular project was the development of highly dextrous, general purpose, telerobotic master/slave work systems that can mimic human manipulative performance without the associated operational limitations (i.e., depth, bottom time, temperature, and exposure to hazardous conditions). Key areas addressed by the TOPS/CVM project include: human-level dexterity, force reflective exoskeletal controllers, and stereoscopic vision.
1.4 MB MPEG movie: TOPS demonstrating human-level dexterity while manipulating an egg, placing a nut onto a bolt, and screwing on a light bulb.
http://www.spawar.navy.mil/robots/telepres...