Bend enhanced fiber (BEF) sensors are curvature-measuring optical analogs of elongation- measuring resistance strain gauges. They are made by treating optical fibers to have an optically absorptive zone along a thin axial stripe a few millimeters long. Light transmission through the fiber past this zone then becomes a robust function of curvature, three orders of magnitude more sensitive to bending than in the untreated fiber. Directionality and polarity of curvature are preserved in the light transmission function, over a linear range covering five orders of magnitude, centered about zero curvature. This paper describes a project in which BEF sensors were used to improve teleoperation of a small mobile robot, by instrumenting joint angles, an extension, and four forces. The operator, who formerly had only a televised view from a camera on the robot, now has additional information on a computer screen showing these parameters in graphical form. This information, provided entirely from fiber optic sensors, makes it considerably easier to manipulate the robot. The project also included demonstrations of a multiplexing system for larger BEF arrays, use of BEF sensors in prosthetics, and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of a light absorptive coating on BEF sensors.