Remote Operation – An Important Pillar by DLR for the Mobility of the Future

Remote operation is a key technology on the road to safe and efficient road transport. In combination with autonomous driving functions, remote operation opens up new potential for local public transport and logistics. The Institute of Transportation Systems at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is conducting systemic research on remote operation: Our research ranges from remote driving to remote assistance and consistently focuses on the human operator.

What is remote operation?

This term refers to the remote manipulation of the behaviour of a vehicle by a human operator. The operator either takes over the driving task (remote driving) or supports an autonomous vehicle in making decisions (remote assistance).

What is remote driving?

The term describes the direct control of a vehicle from a distance. The Road Traffic Remote Control Ordinance (StVFernlV) creates a legal framework here for the first time and comes into force on 1 December 2025.

What is remote assistance?

The term describes the support of a vehicle with autonomous driving functions in assessing a traffic situation and selecting a suitable driving manoeuvre. In contrast to remote driving, the operator does not take over the driving task, but merely makes recommendations to the vehicle. Since 2022, national and international regulations have governed the use of remote assistance on public roads.

Remote Assistance

The Institute of Transportation Systems at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is conducting extensive research on an important component of future mobility: the development and implementation of remote assistance for connected and automated [...]

Remote Driving

The Institute of Transportation Systems at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is conducting intensive research into technologies and concepts for remote driving as a building block for efficient, safe and resilient mobility. With our large-scale [...]

Contact

Sten Ruppe

Acting Head of Department
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Transportation Systems
Cooperative Road Vehicles and Systems
Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489 Berlin