A
system and method for authorizing and executing safe semi-autonomous engagement of a safety critical firing device at a remote location. The
system comprises, at a near location, a
Human Machine Interface with input means comprising at least one hardware
safety barrier and hardware barrier communication means with interfaces connected to a network providing at least three different
signal communication channels, a first
signal communication channel for carrying activation control signals (PALM), a second
signal communication channel for carrying
authorization signals and a third signal
communication channel for carrying arming control signals (ARM). The
system further comprises, at the remote location, a
control unit and an Robotic Operator
Server connected to a
fire control system of the safety critical firing device and to the network, where the
control unit is adapted to receive the activation
control signal (PALM) carried on the first signal communication channel, and where the
control unit comprises at least one hardware
safety barrier and hardware barrier communication means with interfaces connected to the network, making the third signal communication channel as a
closed loop signal communication channel between the hardware safety barriers of the
Human Machine Interface and the control unit for transferring the arming control signals (ARM) to a
fire control system of the safety critical firing device via the control unit, and where the Robotic Operator
Server comprises
software for detecting and locking to a target and for providing
authorization information via the second signal communication channel of the network to the
Human Machine Interface, and to transfer trigger signals (TRIG) to the
fire control system when authorisation of engagement is confirmed by an operator via the control panel, and where the safety critical firing device is engaged if all of activation control signals (PALM), arming control signals (ARM) and the trigger signals (TRIG) are present in the
fire control system.