System and method for controlling robotic vehicle

A system comprising:

• a robotic vehicle having a propulsion system configured to propel the robotic vehicle through an external environment and an actuator configured to perform designated operations while in the external environment;
• one or more sensors disposed onboard the robotic vehicle configured to obtain environmental data representative of the external environment;
• and
• a local controller disposed onboard the robotic vehicle and configured to receive input signals from an off-board controller;
• wherein, responsive to receiving an input signal from the off-board controller for moving in an autonomous mode, the local controller is configured to autonomously move the robotic vehicle within the external environment;
• wherein, responsive to receiving an input signal for operating in a tele-operation mode, the local controller is configured to exit the autonomous mode, wherein the input signal for operating in the tele-operation mode includes a remote command that dictates at least one of a movement of the robotic vehicle or a movement of the actuator.