Telepresence going mainstream

… Feature article in BusinessWeek Magazine entitled “I’ll have my robots talk to your robots.” Article compares Vgo’s $6,000 telepresence robots to Cisco’s $300,000 telepresence suites and suggests that mobility isn’t a gimmick but qualitatively changes what a remote user can do. It is also humanizing and enables effective stand-ins for people.
… Vgo telepresence robot used by disabled Texas student to attend high school. From the safety of his home, he can control his proxy with his computer. The full video and audio capabilities of the telepresence robot allow him to ask his teachers questions and work along with fellow students. Watch him be remotely interviewed with his Vgo on the TODAY Show. Touching and informative.
… Vgo’s first production run of their telepresence robots sold out.
… Homemade telepresence robots using Kinect, laptops, Skype and iRobot’s Create are dropping the price of telepresence and increasing buyer interest.
… French robotics software developer Gostai has launched a $10,000 telepresence robot line focused on security, connection and branding: Jazz Security, Connect and Icon respectively.
… InTouch Health announced that more than 45 telemedicine networks are currently under management.  In total, these networks represent 475 contracted hospital locations where 375 are delivering telemedicine clinical services and the remaining 100 are undergoing pre-installation planning. “Of the more than 45 telemedicine networks we are involved with, a large portion are stroke specific, which virtually places a neurologist at the stroke victim’s bedside at a moment’s notice” said Yulan Wang, CEO.

Frank Tobe is the owner and publisher of The Robot Report, and is also a panel member for Robohub's Robotics by Invitation series.

Frank Tobe is the owner and publisher of The Robot Report, and is also a panel member for Robohub's Robotics by Invitation series.