MIRA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rheinmetall AG, is pursuing a strategy to revolutionize the future of mobility through teleoperation. “We recognized early on that existing obstacles, such as unclear legal frameworks and technical complexities, cannot be overcome in the short term,” explains Andreas Korwes, Head of Operations and Marketing at MIRA. “In particular, ‘edge cases’—rare but challenging traffic situations—are currently difficult for autonomous systems to handle. These include blocked roads or stranded vehicles that an autonomous vehicle cannot navigate without human intervention. Additionally, hardware or software issues may also require human interaction. This is where MIRA’s teleoperation technology comes into play.”
Remotely Controlled Vehicles
Teleoperation refers to the remote control of a vehicle by a human operator. This is made possible through specialized control stations that are physically separated from the vehicle. The teleoperator sits in front of large monitors displaying all relevant views around the vehicle and controls primary driving functions such as acceleration, braking, and steering, as well as secondary functions like turn signals, the horn, and windshield wipers.
The hardware for remote driving inside the vehicle consists primarily of high-resolution cameras and an onboard unit that enables secure access to all necessary driving functions via a cellular network. Thanks to stable and secure 5G data transmission, vehicles can already be reliably controlled over long distances today. “Recently, we remotely operated a vehicle at a trade show in Hamburg while it was driving in Düsseldorf—a distance of approximately 400 kilometers,” reports Korwes.
Another key component of the technology is the drive-by-wire system, which allows remote control of vehicle components. Originally developed for people with physical disabilities, this technology is combined with cameras and communication systems to ensure safe and precise remote operation.
Focus on Public Transport and Logistics
The logistics sector could particularly benefit from teleoperated vehicles. In automotive manufacturing, for example, parts often need to be delivered just in time and just in sequence directly to the assembly line. Drivers spend more than 60% of their working time waiting, leading to significant inefficiencies. With teleoperation, these idle times could be significantly reduced, as a single teleoperator could flexibly control multiple vehicles in succession.
Korwes explains: “A vehicle that has delivered its cargo could immediately be remotely controlled for its next assignment, eliminating the need for an on-site driver.”
Another promising application is urban passenger transport. In collaboration with Deutsche Telekom, MIRA has launched a shuttle service in Bonn that uses teleoperation to transport employees between company locations and public transport hubs. These trips take place on public roads and require detailed approvals from regulatory authorities. In the long run, such solutions could make urban mobility more efficient and flexible.
MIRA also sees potential for highway applications. Here, teleoperators could guide vehicles onto highways, from where they could then drive autonomously over long distances before being taken over by a teleoperator at the destination. This hybrid approach would combine the advantages of teleoperation and autonomous driving, enabling a more flexible automation model.
Low-Latency Data Transmission is Crucial
A stable and near-zero-latency data transmission is essential to ensure the safe operation of teleoperated vehicles. MIRA is working closely with regulatory authorities and industry partners to further develop both the technical and regulatory frameworks for teleoperation.
Currently, six vehicles are part of the MIRA fleet, all of which have been certified by TÜV and approved by the relevant authorities for teleoperation. At XPONENTIAL Europe, two of these vehicles will be in operation, transporting interested visitors from the exhibition grounds to Düsseldorf’s historic Old Town. However, due to current regulations, a safety driver will still be on board.
Author: Sonja Buske