Glossary
Teleoperation
Controlling or guiding a robot or vehicle from a distance by a human operator.
In teleoperation, a person controls a machine remotely, using controls, a headset, or a screen. Robot developers use it to collect training data, to demonstrate tasks, and to step in when the robot's own software cannot cope. Robotaxi companies use remote assistance staff who can advise or guide vehicles that get stuck.
Teleoperation is a normal part of developing and running robots. It becomes misleading when a demonstration presented as autonomous was actually controlled by a person.
Ask how often humans intervene remotely, whether they drive or only advise, and whether a demo disclosed any remote control.
Read more: our explainer