The Application and Use of Telepresence Robots April 2011 1
Personal Robots? 2
Telepresence Robots 3
The New York Times - Sept 5, 2010 4
Bloomberg Business Week - Feb 21, 2011 5
Three Components of Robotic Telepresence Vgo Vgo PC App VgoNet Network services in the cloud Desktop client application Runs on Internet-connected PC with webcam Driving controls and AV communications Robotically-enabled mobile appliance Sophisticated AV for immersive presence Plug n play in enterprise Wi-Fi nets Embedded sensors for safe driving Self-installation and set-up; auto-docking 6
Vgo Communications Fully self-contained wireless robot VGo 4 ft tall, 17 lbs portable and stable robot Full Linux computing platform with text-to-speech, widgets, etc. Sophisticated AV codec system for immersive remote presence Supports 802.11 a/b/g/n and 4G connectivity Easy to set up and use Enterprise-compatible broadband Wi-Fi enables wide coverage Self-installation and set-up, remote software upgrades System tuned for 400 Kbps data rates, including video & driving USB and serial ports for expansion, attachment points for peripherals Unique and pleasing form-factor Embedded sensors for safe navigation and driving Battery lasts all day smart docking Clean, attractive ID; takes only 1 ft x 1 ft of floor space when docked 7
Robotic Telepresence Experience 1 Remote user (visitor) opens VGo PC App and selects location to visit. 2 User is connected to VGo. Visitor s video is displayed on screen. Visitor s voice is heard on integrated high quality speakerphone. 3 Visitor sees remote site, and can move around freely under control from their PC. 8 4 Visitor interacts naturally in ad hoc conversations and formal meetings just like being there!
The VGo PC App Transport yourself to a remote location Easy IM-style A-V connectivity to VGos or other PCs 100% remotely controlled (movement, volume level, hi-res snapshots, etc.) Very simple driving controls (mouse over video window, heads-up display appears) Great audio-visual experience 9
How Are People Are Using VGo? Remote executive Project management Remote student Remote professor Healthcare applications 10
Remote Executive Executives and managers station VGos in each of their offices / facilities VGo lets them visit anytime, from anywhere. Immediately can go to the location where they are needed Can attack a problem, walk the floor, supervise staff, confer informally with direct reports - keep a finger on the pulse Increases management effectiveness by enabling them to go beyond the conference room and employee offices 11
Project Management VGo is located at the primary site(s) of project development Engineering, project, and program managers visit engineers in remote locations or distributed workgroups Enables supervision & collaboration Allows ad hoc communications, including walking between cubes, labs, whiteboard areas etc. as well as group meetings Speeds problem solving and improves communications 12
Telecommuting VGo is in the cube or office of the telecommuter They call in the morning to be at work The call remains up all day The Vgo highlights that they are available or not Coworkers can stop in to ask a quick question The remote work can attend meetings or visit others during the day 13
Healthcare Wide range of applications: Patient visits Senior care Remote clinics In-service training Post-release monitoring Translation services 14
Remote Education Remote Student VGo is installed at a school From home, hospital, rehab center, etc. attends class independently Hi-Res snapshot captures visual content Lights used to raise hand Alternative solutions not as effective Special educators and parents searching for ways for students to participate with the class home schooling can provide the knowledge, but not the other classroom benefits Remote Professor VGo is installed in a lab or classroom Professors use VGo to teach a lab or class from a remote location VGo can walk between lab stations, break-out groups, etc. enabling one-onone conversations with students VGo can be used to enable guest lecturers and speakers 15
Remote Education 16
Remote Education 17
Telepresence and Workplace Accommodation The importance of telework and telecommuting will continue to rise We will continue to become increasingly reliant on information and communications technologies The workplace needs to be made more accessible, both in a physical and social sense Telepresence robots can help CONFIDENTIAL and PROPRIETARY 18 information VGo Communications
State of the Art? Thank You 19