This simple concept is the basis of the new technology of hostile en- 
vironment operations. Remote handling systems ('Mobots'') ere not to be 
looked upon as competitive with a man in a diving suit or diving bell; 
rather, the effective utilization of such systems will increase the abili- 
ty of the man to accomplish functions in the depths of the ocean. This 
paper is concerned primarily with a preliminary outline of ways in which 
the modern concept of remote handling systems can be applied to several 
realistic underwater situations. 
ANALYSIS OF GENERALIZED REMOTE HANDLING SYSTEMS 
In order to analyze in a systematic manner any hostile environment 
problem, it is highly desirable to consider the basic subsystems which 
make up any remote handling system. Figure 3 presents a generalized 
block diagram of any remote handling system. Consideration of this block 
diagram leads to an understanding of the fundamental elements which make 
up any remote handling system so that the design of such systems may be 
approached in an orderly and systematic manner. 
As noted above, remote handling systems are artificial extensions of 
man's senses and muscles over considerable distances. In order to accom- 
plish this, in addition to the systems which duplicate the senses and 
muscles, a link must be provided actually to bridge the physical gap be- 
tween the man and the remote machine, and a control console must be pro- 
vided with which the man communicates with the remote machine. 
Figure 3 shows the interrelationship among the six subsystems which 
make up any remote handling systems. These subsystems, as discussed in 
somewhat more detail below, may be identified as follows: 
the manipulating subsystems ("hands'" and "arms'' 
the sensory subsystems 
the locomotion subsystems 
the command and data link 
the power subsystems, and 
the control console. 
As a further addition to the vocabulary of this topic, the term 
"Mobot* Vehicle" has been coined to refer to the mobile remote portion 
of the system. Mobot vehicles are mechanical units and are the most con- 
spicuous portion of remote handling systems in action. One basic psycho- 
logical observation can be made, namely, the ease with which a Mobot oper- 
ator learns to identify himself with the Mobot vehicle and to forget the 
existence of the interconnecting systems. This psychological identifica- 
tion appears to be a basic necessity for successful operation of fully- 
remote handling systems. 
Let us consider briefly the requirements upon the several basic sub- 
systems. 
*Trademark of Hughes Aircraft Company 
297 
