1. A computer-implemented method comprising: creating, by one or more processors, a digital proxy simulation for a robotic hardware wherein the digital proxy simulation and the robotic hardware share a network interface; providing, by one or more processors, a user with an option to switch between the robotic hardware and the digital proxy simulation; and upon receiving a user selection, executing, by one or more processors, the switch between the robotic hardware and the digital proxy simulation, wherein executing the switch includes transferring sensor or user-interface driven input and output signals during or before operation between the digital proxy simulation and the robotic hardware, wherein the digital proxy simulation includes receiving a plurality of channel images for multi-channel camera simulation, wherein, after the switch, the user is controlling one of the robotic hardware or the digital proxy simulation but not both at a given point in time.