When controlling a robotic device (or more simply, a robot), there are a wide variety of functions that a user can perform. For example, depending on the robot's capabilities, the user may be able to operate controls to drive the robot's drive train, control its head movements, determine how the robot's outputs signal expressions (e.g., via a display and/or sound), and control at least one manipulator (e.g., an arm and/or grabbing mechanism).
Current control applications and human interface devices provide an overly complex set of controls that can overwhelm a user and get in the way of the general goal of controlling the robotic device as desired. What is needed is a way to control a robotic device in a straightforward, intuitive manner.