Transitioning between manned control mode and unmanned control mode based on assigned priority

A controller of a machine, the controller comprising:

• one or more memories;
• and
• one or more processors configured to:
• configure the machine to operate in a plurality of modes including a remote control mode and an autonomous control mode;
• receive a request to cause the machine to perform an action;
• determine a requested mode of operation of the machine associated with the request,
• wherein the requested mode of operation is one of the plurality of modes;
• and
• selectively deny the request or enable the machine to perform the action based on a priority assigned to a current mode of operation of the machine and a priority assigned to the requested mode of operation,
• wherein the request is denied when the priority assigned to the current mode of operation is a higher priority than the priority assigned to the requested mode of operation, and
• wherein the machine is enabled to perform the action when the priority assigned to the requested mode of operation is a higher priority than the priority assigned to the current mode of operation.

A machine, comprising:

• one or more processors configured to:
• receive a request to cause the machine to perform an action;
• determine a current mode of operation of the machine and a requested mode of operation of the machine associated with the request,
• wherein the current mode of operation is one of a remote control mode or an autonomous control mode, and
• wherein the requested mode of operation is another one of the remote control mode or the autonomous control mode;
• and
• selectively deny the request or enable the machine to perform the action based on a priority assigned to the current mode of operation of the machine and a priority assigned to the requested mode of operation,
• wherein the request is denied when the priority assigned to the current mode of operation is a higher priority than the priority assigned to the requested mode of operation, and
• wherein the machine is enabled to perform the action when the priority assigned to the requested mode of operation is a higher priority than the priority assigned to the current mode of operation.