Robotic Telepresence is where a robot is used as a surrogate for a remote user. The robots that NASA has sent to the Martian surface are a form of Robotic Telepresence, where they enable users on earth observe and even manipulate things on the surface of Mars.

Back here on earth, companies such as RoboDynamics (http://robodynamics.com) - of which I'm a founder - are introducing telepresence robots that create significant efficiencies by enabling remote workers to interact intuitively and effectively with other team members.

There are three reasons why Robotic Telepresence is being adopted by organizations:

Knowledge Stream
While we've been using great tools such as IM, Email, and Wiki's to collaborate remotely, none so far provide an *open-and-continuous* stream between remote collaborators. Furthermore, the "Blindfold" effect prevents remote collaborators from communicating with nuance. This is the reason that for some meetings, a phone conversation or even a Skype call does NOT provide a substitute for a face-to-face meeting. As a general practice, we don't call a remote colleague on speaker phone and leave the connection on the entire day. This means that while we are efficient at communicating rigidly (ie sending an email, or updating a wiki), the remote worker loses out on the nuances of communications that go on during the day at the office. This is the where the term "out-of-site-out-of-mind" comes from. In contrast, Robotic Telepresence enables both the remote worker as well as team members to have a continuous stream of access (and therefore a continuous stream of knowledge) flowing in *high* nuance between remote collaborators.

Time & Space
Another inherent problem with our current tools is their reliance on Time and/or Space. If you hold a Skype video call, both parties must be in a predetermined physical location (ie their computer), and both parties have to agree synchronously to the call (ie at 7pm). Robotic Telepresence makes the *initiation* of the call asynchronous - which is analogous to your boss showing up at your office. He doesn't ask you for permission - he just shows up (Time). And if you're not at your office, he will move around till he finds you at the water cooler (Space).

Green
Finally, the ability to demolish Time&Space and Blindfold-Effect barriers ultimately mean *more throughput with less travel*... or to say it differently, a much greener way to get a lot more done.

Here's a 60 second video worth watching on Robotic Telepresence:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er4mSrpSPYo
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