Hasta La Gadget!

David Rogan, CEO, Anybots with the new Anybots Q(X)

Last week I was invited to Polycom’s annual Holiday event where the Anybots Q(X) Virtual Presence was shown for the first time. We all remember Anybots cute QB robot that featured a very small display and 2 big “eyes” where the camera was hidden.

The new Q(X) is going away from the human-like shape and features a relatively austere form factor; however we can appreciate the large display that delivers a better telecommunication experience. Anybots partnered with Polycom to integrate its RealPresence Group 500 video conferencing solution in a metallic gray flat panel on wheels (see photo in the complete article, wheels are not visible).

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Polycom RealPresence in the new Anybots Q(X) Virtual Presence original content from Ubergizmo.

I feel immense guilt every morning when I say goodbye to Burrito, my hyper-energetic Pomeranian. There’s just something about his puppy dog eyes that make me want to stay home and play with him all day instead… which I unfortunately can’t do if I want to keep my job.

That’s where PetChatz comes in.

PetChatz is a pet communication system that lets you interact remotely with your pet. It features two-way video, so you and your pet can see each other when it’s on. The device connects to your WiFi network, which allows remote activation via the PetChatz website or through an app that is compatible on most tablets and smartphones.

PetChatz can play a tone to attract your pet’s attention. Once it’s in front of the screen, you can it dispense a treat or release a scent for your pet to sniff on. A “calming” scent is available, but you can also choose to mix up your own customized scent.

PetChatz is also equipped with sound and motion detectors, and you can program it to send you an alert whenever it detects the presence of your pet. PetChatz is available for pre-order for $349(USD) and will ship out next year.

[via C|NET]

Seeing a doctor can be a pain sometimes. It’s painful and inconvenient enough to be sick as it is. What’s even worse is having to sit at a doctor’s office for hours on end and wait for the receptionist to call your name.

Well, there’s another way to see a doctor and it’s being advertised as being the “faster” and “easier” way: you do it online.

Behind this new service is American Well. Telemedicine isn’t actually a completely new idea, but this is just one of the applications that’s making the technology more accessible for more people.

Potential patients can check in with a U.S. trained, Board-certified doctor through their iOS or Android devices. Each ten-minute video chat consultation will cost $49(USD). If the appointment takes longer that, then additional charges will apply.

Dr. Teresa Myers, who practices telemedicine, explains: “I guarantee that not a single person who practices telemedicine would say this is a replacement of traditional medicine. This is an extension of traditional model care. With telemedicine, we can appropriately triage patients to higher levels of care needed to avoid preventable negative outcomes, which includes direct and indirect costs.”

Wile this technology definitely adds convenience and immediacy, it can’t be used as a substitute for in-person examinations and testing.

[via C|NET]

The company that became known for its humble robots for cleaning homes will soon be selling a fancy robot for offices. Coming in 2014, iRobot’s Ava 500 will let you work both remotely and on site. It has a 21.5″ HD screen, a webcam, a microphone and its predecessor’s ability to find its way around on its own. Depending on your office dynamics, the Ava 500 will either be a hilarious or a creepy sight.

According to iRobot, the Ava 500 can explore and map its assigned area on its own. The idea is for its user to direct it remotely using an iPad app. You just have to pick the robot’s destination and it will figure out how to get there on its own. So no, you won’t be able to “drive’ it and yes, it’s still pretty impressive.

Aside from the iPad app, iRobot says it will provide users with Cisco TelePresence EX60 monitors. The Ava 500 can also adjust its body’s height so that its monitor will be at the appropriate level at all times. When you’re done using the Ava 500, it will return to its charging station on its own. It’ll probably chat with the other ‘bots about that cute copier and how annoying that security cam dude is.

I wonder how many takes that meeting scene took. If I was there I wouldn’t be able to stop laughing when the robot rolls in the room. He looks constipated. And can you imagine a future where the only “employees” in the office are all Ava 500s? The Ava 500s will be so busy they’ll have to use other Ava 500s to do their job.

[iRobot via The Boston Globe]

We fully expected to see iRobot offer up further applications for its Ava development platform after *ahem* rolling out the RP-VITA, a medically-themed team up with In-Touch Health. The company’s second partner is a biggie: it’ll be working with Cisco on the Ava 500 telepresence bot. The system looks quite similar to the VITA, sporting what appears to be a nearly identical base. As with its predecessor, Ava’s controlled by a fairly simple iPad program — you can either pick a destination on a map or choose from a list of employee names and rooms you’d like to visit. Once inputted, the robot is autonomous in navigation, getting to the destination, while avoiding people and obstacles. When the meeting’s over, it’ll return to its base for charging.

On the top, however, you’ll find Cisco’s TelePresence EX60 end-point, bringing the company’s widely adopted platform to the mobile base, courtesy of a 21.5-inch HD display. The user’s face will show up on the screen as the ‘bot navigates through the halls, allowing you to talk about last night’s Mad Men, should you (figuratively) run into anyone around the water cooler. You can also switch to private mode, if telepresence small talk isn’t your thing. iRobot and Cisco will be showing off Ava at Infocomm later this month. If you can’t wait for that, however, you’ll find out a bit more in the press release after the break.

Filed under: Robots

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