Current computer mediated communication tools such email, chat, and videoconferencing have increased our social tele-connectivity. They allow us to exchange text, images, sound, and video with anyone whose interests we share, professionally or socially, regardless of geographic location. But for many applications something important is still missing. Existing tools fail to provide us with an adequate interface into the real world in which we live, work, and play. This talk will describe one such approach towards solving this problem with simple, inexpensive, internet-controlled, untethered tele-robots or PRoPs (Personal Roving Presences). PRoPs strive to provide the sensation of tele-embodiment in a remote real space. The physical tele-robot provides several verbal and non-verbal communication cues including: audio, video, mobility, directed gaze, proxemics, and simple gesturing. PRoPs also enable their users to perform a wide gamut of human activities in the remote space, such as wander around, explore, converse with people, and hang out.

For more information please visit www.prop.org.