The telepresence robot from Anybot (Source: singularityhub.com)
The technology is suited for meetings that contain only one remote worker, and would only cost "hundreds" as opposed to the tens of thousands of dollars usually needed for telepresence technology
In as little as two years, robots could be present at business meetings as representations of remote workers.
Bell Labs, a research and development subsidiary of French-owned Alcatel-Lucent, is working on telepresence robots that could eventually sit in on business meetings for remote workers.
Currently, many businesses use videoconferencing brands such as Polycom and Cisco for high-definition video and audio used for remote workers. But Bell Labs recognizes that business meetings are about much more than just video and audio. It's facial expressions and movements that contribute to the meeting as well, and that's what Bell Labs aims to contribute to the traditional videoconferencing model.
According to Jan Bouwen, Bell Labs' residential applications research director, "subtle cues" which allow others to know if a participant agrees, disagrees or understands the content of the meeting are lost with just video and audio. Others who partake in the meeting even tend to forget about those remote workers who are just sitting on a screen.
"I'm very often in meetings where most people are at the table, but one person is on Polycom or something like that," said Alice White, Bell Labs chief scientist. "We just tend to forget about that person and that person misses all of the subtle things that go on in the room."
But now, these telepresence robots, called "Netheads," not only sit in meetings for remote workers using video and audio like traditional videoconferencing methods, but also offer movement. The remote participant appears on the video screen, and is able to control the movement of the robot's head to look around the room and at other participants and contribute more effectively.
"[Nethead is] there on a stand, and has a picture of that person's face," said White. "It's turning, just as the person would be turning. They're impossible to ignore because they're present."
The technology began about four years ago when Bouwen's team started the research in Antwerp, Belgium. It is suited for meetings that contain only one remote worker, and would only cost "hundreds" as opposed to the tens of thousands of dollars usually needed for telepresence technology.
Bouwen noted that the videoconferencing technology could be applied to an Alcatel-Lucent product next year, but expects that Nethead could reach the market in two years. Such software could even be incorporated into other devices such as tablets.
Source: IT News
"People Don't Respect Confidentiality in This Industry" -- Sony Computer Entertainment of America President and CEO Jack Tretton
|
Most Popular ArticlesQuick Note: Verizon Wireless Clarifies Stance on Unlimited LTE Data
May 18, 2012, 8:08 AM
HTC Implements Workaround to Apple's Patent for Evo 4G LTE, One X
May 17, 2012, 4:35 PM
DDOS Attack Cripples The Pirate Bay
May 16, 2012, 1:42 PM
Game Over? Apple's Bid to Kill HTC Nears Fruition as ITC Blocks Imports
May 16, 2012, 11:35 AM
Verizon Wireless to Kill Unlimited LTE Data, Even for Grandfathered Users
May 16, 2012, 4:25 PM
|
