Teleoperation refers to operating a machine or robot at a distance. A human operator controls the system from a remote location and receives feedback such as video or sensor data in order to make informed decisions in real time. The term combines the Greek "tele" (far) and "operation".
Teleoperation is used above all where an environment is too dangerous, inaccessible or distant for humans — for example in space exploration, bomb disposal, the deep sea, contaminated areas or telesurgery.
Unlike simple "remote control", the term is used mainly in research and robotics. Over large distances, such as in space, signal delays occur, which is why teleoperation is often combined with semi-autonomous functions: the operator sets higher-level goals while the robot carries out subtasks on its own (supervised autonomy).