Tele-presence Robots enable you to have an interactive video
con through your device (iPad, Windows Surface, Galaxy Tab etc.) with a
customer at a remote location. Usually these come in the form of a robot that can
be controlled via a web browser (Google chrome, Safari), on which the video
device will be mounted on. The potential that this could be a futuristic move
for software companies would be as follows.
Sales personnel in software vendor companies would sometimes
need to present systems to a customer based in a remote location (where
presumably you will need to fly). The sales person would anyway have to be
there on location, but the heads of the company do not necessarily need to be
there in person or would be too busy to attend. Skype or Google Hangouts on a
laptop would be the usual “way to go” which is OK, but static and boring. A small
portable robot that can rotate, swivel and in some cases even move around a
room, totally controlled by you , would give you the ability to interact
directly with the customers without them having to face a laptop or the sales
person interpreting their conversations to you.
1.
Kubi
Kubi is a product by Revolve Robotics. This gadget is quoted
to have the ability to swivel around 300 degrees and vertically move up to 90
degrees. It’s composed of a lightweight base with two flexible arms where you
can place the tablet or iPad. It connects to the mobile device using Bluetooth
4.0.
Kubi just requires an application to be installed on the
mounted mobile device. Both Android and iOS apps are available for downloads.
They claim that the featured video conferencing applications can be integrated
easily. http://www.kubi.me/apps/
You activate the Kubi, place your tab on the gadget’s arms,
turn on Bluetooth and sync with the Kubi (Normal way to connect Bluetooth), minimize
the Kubi application and start up the video con application of your choice (Skype,
Google hangouts, WebEx, Join.me etc.).
You control the Kubi through your own web browser from home
or local office. If it’s through a laptop, then you can have the control
browser, video con app and control grid of kubi all at once on split screens.
If on a tab or iPad, then another device (preferably a phone) can be used as
the controlling device since split screen would be too small to view on a tab.
Some more details (specifications) on this very lightweight
robot companion can be found here.
And the price of the Kubi (they have not specified any additional
items such as charger, carry bag etc.) is
$499 (at the time
of posting the article)
2.
Double
Double has all the features that Kubi has plus it has a
motorized base which gives it the user the added advantage of virtually
cruising around the remote meeting room as well. It is claiming to give you remarkable
stability and collision detections.
This device is supposed to be powerful than the Kubi since
here your presence in the meeting will be more. You are one with the robot synced
with the iPad mounted on it working as the communicational device. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oan9TMb47Do
The scenarios for this device span out more than the Kubi.
You can sit in on a web call like what Kubi allows you, you can move around and
towards the people in the meeting since you are on wheels now, you could sit in
conferences without having to fly all the way to the destination, and you can
be actively present in booths at exhibitions together with your colleagues.
The only negative aspect of Double against Kubi is that it
allows only apple iPads, Compatible with iPad 2, iPad (3rd generation), iPad
(4th generation), and iPad Air. (First generation iPad tablets are not supported
due to their lack of camera) Control via Free App for iOS. The internal
rechargeable Lithium Ion battery provides up to 8 hours of normal use.
Batteries required (one Lithium Ion) included.
Shipping box includes the following: Charging Brick, Camera Lens for iPad, Hex bolt and wrench
Shipping box includes the following: Charging Brick, Camera Lens for iPad, Hex bolt and wrench
Materials: Aluminum and plastic. Dimensions: 5"L x
10"W x 49"H; Weight: 14 lbs.
With all these features it could be considered worth the
quoted price:
$2,499.95 (at the time of posting the article)
3.
Others
There are a few more on the market which are not quoted in the
same level as the above ones or are not portable, do not have the desired features
or the quoted levels of quality.
My personal choice would be the cheaper, lightweight Kubi
which integrates with most devices. But since business users are mostly using Apple
devices, and love the reliability and quality, and since apple has approved
Double as a compatible device it seems like quality is assured. Out of the
others MantaRobot seems to be somewhat closer to Double at a cheaper price, but
looks a bit bulky and intended for in-office use, not traveling.
Please note:
All details in the article were found on the official websites and other
reviews on the products. If by any chance I have adapted quotes from other
works and literature, please note this article is only for knowledge sharing
purposes and not for any financial or reputational gains. Please feel free to
copy, cite, quote, share any part of this write up for your own purposes.
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