In today’s world, the profound technical, social, legal, and ethical benefits and challenges that follow the introduction of new technology can have a wide-ranging impact on society and are thus crucial to investigate. The scientific study done in labs and the use cases investigated by commercial platform developers can only illustrate a portion of this influence; actual application in the wild displays a fuller set of the concerns and opportunities that the new technology provides.
One such technology is a Telepresence Robot. Telepresence robots are like powered video conferencing. You may walk around freely and engage with others while driving a telepresence robot through a distant location. Think about having a presence at a place where you currently work or frequently visit without needing to be physically present at the event. You may even share material in real-time using any mobile device, laptop, or desktop.
A telepresence robot can excel at bringing people together. This robot can make your life easier, and we’ve outlined how:
1. Assisting Elderly People:
Telepresence robots allow older people to stay in their homes for extended periods while being linked to their caregivers, friends, and family. The screen displays the image of the remote user. The robot can be driven about to see anything in its area. Most of these robots may be controlled from anywhere using a smartphone, computer, and an internet connection. Family, friends, doctors, and caregivers can log into the telepresence robot, drive it, engage with others, and explore the area via audio and video.
Having said that, telepresence robots are increasingly being utilized in hospitals to allow specialists to confer with patients without being physically present. Dignity Health, for example, began using telepresence robots to promptly identify stroke patients and currently employs the devices in e-health.
2. Assisting Students
In higher education, we frequently encounter students who have unforeseen setbacks that affect their capacity to attend class. Inability to go to class, whether due to a car accident, a family emergency, or illness, can have a long-term impact on a student’s academic progress. Students might even face significant stress when attempting to catch up on missing homework. In some situations, students have little choice but to withdraw from their coursework, putting them behind a semester or more and postponing degree completion.
Telepresence robots are a realistic solution in such circumstances for allowing students to attend class remotely. Higher education institutions have been investigating the capabilities of telepresence robots for distant learning and remote classroom attendance as this technology has grown more affordable and accessible.
3. Shopping
Shopping is a repetitive and common task in society. It may be one of the few opportunities for some type of social contact. Going shopping has a tangibility that surpasses online shopping. As a result, the experience of purchasing with a telepresence robot may be more vibrant and friendly than online shopping. There are several reasons someone may go on a shopping trip with a (telepresence) robot. One could be preventing physical discomfort or might be unable to go outside otherwise.
Although, you will need additional items for shopping, such as mobile broadband internet with a Wi-Fi hotspot, a bucket to place the products in, and a container to keep the money.
4. Attending Events:
Have you ever missed an exciting event because you were sick or couldn’t go outside? You can, however, attend an event from home with a Telepresence robot. There are numerous opportunities for social connection at trade shows, social events, and conference sessions. Missing them may make you feel like you are currently deprived of social contact. Telepresence has solved this problem for many people. However, intermittent connectivity or crowd noise may have difficulty hearing talks.
5. Giving Lectures:
Giving a lecture using a telepresence robot can save time because the lecturer does not have to travel to the lecture room. Furthermore, they can still deliver vital lessons even if the teacher is bedridden due to unanticipated circumstances. This robot is a good investment if you are a lecturer who cannot walk outside due to some physical discomfort. However, if others made a sound, the students in the back rows may have difficulties understanding the lecturer, resulting in unusual silence. This technique is highly ideal if the kids participate appropriately.
Conclusion:
The advancement of new technologies has simplified our daily life. The use of telepresence robots has benefited many patients. And it doesn’t stop there; these robots have many applications. They frequently represent tour guides, night guards, factory inspectors, and healthcare experts. They can deliver services humans cannot, and people with physical disabilities no longer have to rely on others for basic chores. Humans are social creatures, and these robots help them avoid feeling excluded from social occasions and mundane activities.
