By: Aseem Gaurav on August 20, 2012
California-based Double Robotics has launched a robot kit that turns your iPad into a telepresence robot. The kit is called Double.
The Double uses a pair of wheels, adjustable pole, an iPad holder, and a battery-powered motor, to turn your iPad into a ‘virtual you.’ Here’s how! Suppose you are sitting in an office and wants to convey a message to someone sitting on the far corner of the office. Using the Double app on another iPhone/iPad/iPod or desktop, you guide the robot (with mounted iPad) to go closer to the concerned person for conference (or anywhere you want). You can choose to raise or lower the stalk to achieve sitting or standing height for virtual face-to-face meetings.
According to Double Robotics, the kit is perfect for offices, schools, manufacturing facilities, and even museums and galleries. “You can stay at eye level, whether sitting or standing, by adjusting your height remotely, which makes conversations fluid and real,” the firm says.
Double weighs in just 15 pounds which makes it less likely to cause damage to equipment or merchandise while you move the robot in and around the facility. The company claims that the motor of the robot can last all day without feeling the need to recharge the battery.
Unlike Segway, the Double uses a single wheel to balance its movement.
Buyers who pre-order now can get the robot for $1999 and the deliveries are expected in early 2013. Remember, this price does not include the iPads – which you need to install to control the gadget remotely.
