Robot – panda on our wheel base.
What is a telepresence system now?
What for?
Novelty
How does it work?
Plans
Safety
What Internet connection should I use?
Performance
Warranty
Signal quality and video
Stability
Sound
Specifications of the Endurance telepresence robot
What is a telepresence system now?
Telepresence system is a robotized platform on wheels, which uses an ordinary Android tablet and additionally gives the speaker an opportunity to walk during a video call. It is a kind of “Skype” on wheels.
Do you remember your feelings when it became possible to see the interlocutor during a phone call? Now a video call can be combined with walking. That is, you can not only see the interlocutor but also walk while talking.
This is akin to magic. Your caller is actually here with you and sees what you see.
Telepresence adds another dimension of reality, creates a feeling of real presence.
The subject of telepresence and virtual reality becomes more and more popular in media and the company Endurance has created an amazing solution in this field.
To communicate with someone via a computer or tablet, you need to sit in front of the camera device, or hold it in your hand, that creates some inconvenience.
A telepresence system helps get rid of this inconvenience.
Fixed to a telepresence rig the camera allows your interlocutor to choose a comfortable angle and position for communication. In addition, he/she can move freely and walk. It makes both of you closer.
The Endurance unique solution is based on the fact that we use energy-efficient technologies for the telepresence robot control and the system does not need any special software or application. We do not invent a new device for communication; we do not create a new operation system to control the robot; we do not create a new microcontroller to control the wheel platform. We just modify what is already on the market and make the ready-made solutions and technologies easy to use.
We take an ordinary Android tablet, put it on the wheel, and make it work. The tablet moves on an ultramodern wheel platform made by Endurance.
The first step to make it work is to download LinPhone program on your computer, phone or tablet. Our system is already equipped with an ASUS Nexus tablet and preinstalled LinPhone. LinPhone program is free (open source). The telepresence rig is controlled via LinPhone. To do so, just open the keypad to dial a number (located next to the icon “call”). LinPhone is one of the communication programs that uses the SIP protocol. The program is similar to Google Hangouts, Viber, Skype, etc.
We plan to make the telepresence robot compatible with all popular communication programs and create an application that will control the robot autonomously, regardless of the communication program.
It is possible to control the robot either via a local network and or via the Internet.
We also work at modification of LinPhone to allow making calls within a network (peer to peer connection) without the Internet connection.
Safe use of the telepresence robot is an important issue for us. Do not worry, the robot does not (yet) …))) have mind of its own and is not able to make its own decisions, and move on its own accord.
The telepresence rig will neither run over you nor do you any other harm. It is equipped with 4 sensitive sonars (sensors), which effectively scan the space on the move. With an obstacle ahead, the system automatically stops. There is constant movement monitoring.
What Internet connection should I use?
This is an important issue for many clients, especially for those who have no LTE.
Currently, the proposed tablet works with WIFI. If you install your own Android tablet that supports 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, then your telepresence robot will operate using any Internet connection. If you have no tablet you can use a mobile phone for the Internet connection; just set the phone to the WIFI-router mode to provide the Internet access to the robot. Once the robot is connected to the Internet, you can make calls and manage the system.
The audio and video signals quality depends on the quality of the connection (as in the basis version of LinPhone program).
An important aspect of the reliability and quality of our telepresence system is its energy efficiency. There is no need in complex computing power for the work of our system. We use an effective microcontroller to control the wheel platform, which in its turn is connected to the Android tablet through mini USB and Android Debug Mode. This kind of connection is much more reliable and stable than Bluetooth.
Currently, we use a tested ASUS Nexus tablet.
We plan to expand the list of the recommended tablets and develop a budget version of the solution (without a tablet) soon.
ASUS Nexus tablets are quite effective and fully comply with the requirements of the Internet video calls.
Presently, we sell the telepresence robot «as is». In case of breakdown, we either solve the problem remotely or take back the system and fully refund you minus shipping fee.
Will there be a good quality of the image and sound? The fact that we use ready-made communicators, such as LinPhone, makes our solution unique.
Unlike many manufacturers of telepresence systems we do not put effort into development of audio and video codecs. There are enough professionals who do it.
The strong side of our company is that we do convenient wheel platforms and customize the whole setting of the system for the client needs to offer exactly what he/she needs.
Currently, the program uses the standard LinPhone codecs for audio and video signal transmitting. The quality of the signal depends entirely on the quality of the Internet connection and on the fact whether your mobile operator or the Internal server (in the case of local calls) allows VOIP data transmission.
This is very important because some operators fight against VOIP traffic.
Our platform is very stable because, unlike many 2- and 3-wheeled telepresence systems, uses a 4-wheel chassis. It is well known that four wheels are more stable. In systems of the next generation we will use a digital gyroscope for fuller balance stability of the system on slippery and uneven surfaces.
Meanwhile, we recommend using the device in closed facilities (offices).
At present the system has no external speakers. The sound is produced by the ASUS Nexus tablet. In the nearest future we will offer external Bluetooth speakers attached to our system and an external Bluetooth microphone to improve the sound transfer.
Specifications of the Endurance telepresence robot
4 wheels, 2 leading
Microcontroller to control the wheel platform.
4 ultrasonic sonars.
Polymeric plastic wheels.
Battery: 12 Volt 7 Amp-hours.
Tablet: ASUS Nexus.
Details are printed on the 3D printer.
Platform weight: 12 kg.
Can be easily disassembled and folded. You can put in your bag and take with you.
Test drive is available in Moscow now and San Francisco.
Do you like it and want to see this guy in action?
Call us and we will demonstrate our outstanding solution!
Always in stock!
Worldwide delivery available.
Date of birth: 12.04.1993