The backseat driver interface provided by the Otter USV, while functional, may have some limitations and drawbacks that could be addressed in future versions or alternative USV platforms:
Limited Control Parameters: The backseat driver interface may offer limited control parameters for fine-tuning the behavior of the USV. Future versions could provide more granular control options to researchers, allowing for more precise navigation and operation.
Lack of Real-Time Feedback: The interface may not provide real-time feedback on critical parameters such as motor RPM values or position uncertainty. Enhancements could include incorporating additional sensors or telemetry systems to provide more comprehensive feedback to operators.
Communication Reliability: In cold conditions, the Otter may experience network dropouts, impacting communication with the backseat driver interface. Future versions could implement redundant communication systems or improved network protocols to ensure reliable data transmission.
Integration with Autonomy Systems: The backseat driver interface may not fully support integration with advanced autonomy systems or external control algorithms. Future versions could be designed to seamlessly integrate with ROS-based autonomy frameworks, allowing for more sophisticated control strategies.
User Interface Design: The user interface of the backseat driver system may lack user-friendly features or visualization tools. Improvements in the interface design could enhance the user experience and make it easier for researchers to interact with the USV.
By addressing these limitations and drawbacks in future versions or alternative USV platforms, researchers can benefit from more robust and versatile control interfaces that support a wide range of research applications in aquatic robotics.