Virtual learning environments in the tasks of lunar exploration using robots

Virtual learning environments in the tasks of lunar exploration using robots

Sergey F. Sergeev
Doctor of Psychological Science Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, Peter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnical University (SPbPU), Scientific and Research Laboratory of Complex Systems Professor, Head Laboratory, 29, Politekhnicheskaya ul., Saint-Petersburg, 195251, Russia, tel.: 7(911)995-09-29, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., ORCID ID: 0000-0002-6677-8320

Maxim M. Kharlamov
PhD in Economics, Federal State Organization «Yu.A. Gagarin Research & Test Cosmo-naut Training Center» (GCTC), First Deputy Chief, Star City, Moscow Region, 141160, Russia, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Boris I. Kryuchkov
Doctor of Technical Science, GCTC, Chief Research Scientist, Star City, Moscow Region, 141160, Russia, 10, Chukotsky proezd, Moscow, 129327, Russia, tel.: +7(495)526-34-37, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Vitaly M. Usov
Doctor of Medical Science, GCTC, Professor, Chief Research Scientist, Star City, Moscow Region, 141160, Russia, 10, Chukotsky proezd, Moscow, 129327, Russia, tel.: +7(495)526-59-55, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9759-3444

Mikhail V. Mikhaylyuk
Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Federal State Institution «Federal Scien-tific Center Research Institute for System Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences», Professor, Head of Department, 36-1, Nakhimovsky pr., Moscow, 117218, Russia, tel.: +7(499)129-28-30, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., ORCID: 0000-0002-7793-080X

Received 15 August 2020

Abstract
The article substantiates the use of artificial Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) to improve the cosmonaut professional training for implementing innovative projects of robotic lunar exploration. The purpose of the article is to describe the methodology for creating an immersive virtual learning environment that reflects the key features of the «Human – Lunar robots» interaction. This creates favorable conditions for the formation of general technical competencies and the development of mental decision-making skills in view of high safety requirements for future test operations of new space system engineering in real conditions of lunar missions. The article summarizes the experience in using VLE for training operators of various profiles, including virtual simulators, as one of the examples of educational technology, based on VR. As far as the cosmonaut professional training is concerned, the priorities for the use of VLE depend on the depth and level of detailing the development of new projects based, in particular, on robotic support for the moon exploration. Given this condition, the custom properties of VLE have to correspond to the cosmonaut training phase and the tasks to be solved during this phase. Today, this methodological approach determines the place and role of virtual reality technologies in designing the human-robot interaction during significant operations that will be performed in lunar missions. The possibilities of obtaining professional experience and general technical competencies by cosmonauts in ground conditions on the basis of VLE for expanding the participation of cosmonauts in new projects of the robotic lunar exploration were studied. In accordance with the content of the road maps of manned space flights, virtual models of remote control systems for various types of lunar robots were developed. To simulate operators’ activity on the Moon and to investigate multimodal «Human – Lunar robots» interfaces, various versions of building visual scenes and virtual models of robots for virtual simulators were developed and tested. In order to create a design platform for VLE in the form of virtual simulators, the prior experience of VR simulation modeling and 3D visualization was generalized. The prospects of using the methodology for building a «virtual space experiment» when working out the «Human – Lunar Robots» interaction at the early stages of the development of lunar missions were shown. The article substantiates expanding the interpretation of the role of such innovative tool as a research platform with VLE for finding rational ways to implement innovative robotic solutions in manned flight missions. In addition to the traditionally considered tasks of forming general technical competencies, the active involvement of cosmonauts in the innovative process of creating new technology at early stages of ergonomic prototyping creates favorable conditions for becoming the testers of new engineering and space-explorers.

Key words
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), innovative projects, lunar missions, cosmonaut professional training.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.31776/RTCJ.8301

Bibliographic description
Sergeev, S. et al., 2020. Virtual learning environments in the tasks of lunar exploration using robots. Robotics and Technical Cybernetics, 8(3), pp.165-174.

UDC identifier:
37.02:37:004.89:159.9:612:378.2

References

  1. Sergeev, S.F., 2006. Training environment: conceptual analysis. The School of Technology, 5, pp.29-34. (In Russian).
  2. Sergeev, S.F., 2006. Methodological bases of designing training environments. Aerospace Instrumentation, 2, pp.50-56. (In Russian).
  3. Sergeev, S.F., 2009. Training and Professional Immersive Environments. Moscow: National Education Publ., p.432. (In Russian).
  4. Sergeev, S.F., 2010. Virtual simulation: Theoretical aspects and design methodology. Biotechnosphere, 2(8), pp.15–20. (In Russian).
  5. Lokhin, V.M. et al., 2016. Man-machine interface for autonomous robots and multi-agent robotic systems. Mekhatronika, Avtomatizatsiya, Upravlenie [Mechatronics, Automation, Control], 17(9), pp.606–614. (In Russian).
  6. Chernakova, S.E. et al., 2017. Human - robot interaction during learning and telecontrol of the heterogenic robotic systems based on a movement shape model. Mekhatronika, Avtomatizatsiya, Upravlenie [Mechatronics, Automation, Control], 18(7), pp.458–468. (In Russian).
  7. Sergeev, S.F., Paderno, P.I. and Nazarenko, N.A., 2011. Introduction to the Design of Intelligent Interfaces: Textbook. Saint Petersburg: ITMO State University Publ., p.108. (In Russian).
  8. Khisamutdinov, M.V., Korovin, Ya.S. and Ivanov, D.Ya., 2019. Advanced human-robot interface with augmented reality. Bulletin of V.G. Shukhov BSTU, 9, pp.113–120. (In Russian).
  9. Karpov, A.A. and Yusupov, R.M., 2018. Multimodal interfaces of human–computer interaction. Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 88, pp.67–74. (In Russian).
  10. Marin, A.G. et al., 2018. Optimizing contextual ergonomics models in human-robot interaction. In: Proceedings of IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS), Madrid, pp.1–9.
  11. Yusupov, R.M. et al., 2013. The application possibilities of multimodal interfaces for manned space complex to maintain communication astronauts with a mobile robot – crew's assistant. Manned spaceflights, 3(8), pp.23–34. (In Russian).
  12. Sergeev, S.F., 2006. Ergonomic problems of interface design based on induced virtual environments. The World of Avionics, 3, pp.62–67. (In Russian).
  13. Sergeev, S.F., 2015. Theoretical and methodological problems of didactics of technogenic educational environments. Educational technologies, 2, pp.49-60. (In Russian).
  14. Senchuk, D.V., 2019. Prospects for developing scenarios for virtual simulators. In: Proceedings of the XIII All-Russian Meeting on Management Problems (VSPU-2019). Pp.311–314. (In Russian).
  15. Shukshunov, V.E. et al., 2005. Training Complexes and Simulators. Moscow: Mechanical Engineering Publ., pp.263. (In Russian).
  16. Mikhailyuk, M.V. and Bragin, V.I., 2013. Virtual reality Technologies in simulation and training complexes for cosmonauts. Manned spaceflights, 2(7), pp.82–93. (In Russian).
  17. Maltsev, A.V., Mikhailyuk, M.V. and Lapta, A.I., 2013. Simulation of cosmonauts' movement and navigation on the outer surface of the ISS. Manned spaceflights, 3, pp.44–50. (In Russian).
  18. Zaborovsky, V.S. et al., 2012. The Remote control of robotic objects in space experiments of the «Contour» series. Scientific and Technical Notes of SPb SPU. Informatics. Telecommunications. Management, 6 (162), pp.23–32. (In Russian).
  19. Website of the RTC Central Research Institute. n.d. Space System. «Kosmorobot» («Mobile Robot for Operations in Open Space»). [online] Available at: <https://rtc.ru/solution/kosmorobot/> [Accessed 20 July 2020]. (In Russian).
  20. Muliukha, V.A. et al., 2017. The results of the space experiment «Kontur-2» dedicated to the development of technologies for remote control of on-planet robotic objects. SFU Bulletine. Technical Science, 9(194), pp.153-169. (In Russian).
  21. Nasa.gov. n.d. NASA - A SAFER Way to Space Walk. [online] Available at: <https://www.nasa.gov/missions/shuttle/f_saferspacewalk.html> [Accessed 20 July 2020].
  22. Sergeev, S. F., 2017. Methodological basis for designing symbiotic mechatronic and robotic systems among simulators. Mechatronics, Automation, Control, 18(12), pp.824-828. (In Russian).
  23. Sergeev, S.F. and Sergeev, A.V., (2018). Induced environment of the immersive interface of a mobile space robot with force-moment sensing. In: «Human factor in complex technical systems and environments» (ERGO-2018). Proc. of the Third international scientific and practical conference. Pp.211–217. (In Russian).
Editorial office address: 21, Tikhoretsky pr., Saint-Petersburg, Russia, 194064, tel.: +7(812) 552-13-25 e-mail: zheleznyakov@rtc.ru