We live in an age where it's possible to be two places at once, in a manner of speaking. Programs like Skype and FaceTime have made it possible to see a friend, family member, or romantic partner's face in front of yours, even if they're miles upon miles away. Telepresence robots are, in a way, an upgraded Skype, giving the user an extended sense of autonomy with movement. Now, the company Double Robotics says it has come out with a telepresence bot that can bolster that experience — all with the help of self-stabilizing technology and a clearer, wider telecommunicative picture.
Reminiscent of BB-8 in its movements, Double Robotic's self-balancing two-wheeler telepresent robot, named the Double 2, might look a little like a simple tablet interface on a stick — but the company's sturdier, upgraded bot might be a design game-changer.
The Double 2 was designed with three new features: lateral stability control, which helps the bot retain its balance, even when faced with obstructed terrain or uneven ground (to an extent, at least — the Double 2 is definitely suited specifically for indoors); an upgraded power drive which lets it go up to 80 percent faster than its usual rate of mobility (up to 1.6 miles per hour, almost double the speed of its previous iteration) with the mere click of a shift key; and a detachable camera with a 150-degree wide-angle lens and and 5-megapixel HD imaging, which not only give the user wider peripheral vision, but let anyone on the "other side" interface with a clear and resonant picture.
"The unveiling of Double 2 marks our deep commitment to our customers to make their experience with Double Robotics the best it can be," said Double Robotics CEO and co-founder David Cann in a press statement issued on Jan. 6. "The three new features are a direct result of customer feedback. Our mission is to enable all types of remote experiences, and the introduction of Double 2 will help us work toward that goal."
The new Double 2 model and Camera Kit are available now; the Double 2 costs $2,499 and the Camera Kit is $249. There is a package deal that includes the Double 2, Charging Dock, Audio Kit, and Camera Kit for $2,999.
Source: Double Robotics
