Abstract:In order to improve the working conditions of drivers, a wireless network based teleoperation system for tractors was designed before, and the feasibility of the system was verified through several experiments. The system was optimized in two ways to further enhance the usability of the system. First of all, a multithreading programming, including a data reading thread and a data processing thread was used to replace single threading programming in the first generation teleoperation system under unchanged hardware conditions, because the first system based on single threading programming had relatively slow response, which cannot fully meet the realtime requirements. Then, a new user interface with a steering wheel manipulator was designed to provide operators more realistic driving experiences, because the first user interface used many buttons to manipulate, which made operation inconvenient and misoperation sometimes. Finally, tests were carried out to detect performances of the optimized system. Results showed that control commands were executed with a delay of no more than 60ms and the maximum absolute error was no more than 1053mm when the tractor was driven along a straight line at speed of 317km/h by the optimized system, with maximum RMS error of 601mm. Compared with the first generation teleoperation system, the precision of right angle turn was improved obviously for the optimized system. When the slalom test was carried out on the teleoperated tractor, there was little difference whether the driver operated in the tractor or operated remotely. Overall, the optimized system provided better remote driving experiences for operators.