In contemporary times, concerns regarding the advancement of robotics are often raised. People are worried that the robots that we build might eventually overpower the human race. There are even individuals who suspect that Siri, the artificial intelligence assistant, is perceptive of its own superiority and is only deceiving users into thinking it’s helpful, despite sometimes becoming a nuisance. A recent incident involved an acquaintance of mine securing a knife to the top of her Roomba and letting it investigate when she heard strange sounds emanating from beneath her bed.
Did you ever contemplate the ways in which the advancement of robotics could assist those in need? Companies like Double are enabling individuals to establish a virtual presence in locations where they cannot be physically present, dispelling the traditional notion of robots as ‘out-of-control cyborgs.’ The potential benefits for those who can work remotely are evident. This trend is being adopted by more and more businesses, as emphasized in our latest article.
Remote working is rapidly gaining popularity among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with higher proportions of remote workers in SMEs than in larger corporations. This emerging trend is intriguing and warrants further investigation.
The possible effects of automation and robotics on the labour market are thought-provoking subjects of discussion. While it is too soon to anticipate the full extent of this impact, it is evident that the increase in remote employment will play a significant role in the future of work. Therefore, the idea of robots taking over the world is largely irrelevant to this conversation.
Telepresence Makes Having a Teleworker a Reality.
Imagine this scenario: you’re walking down the hallway on your way to an important meeting with a robot following closely behind you. You can see the face of the Indian developer who designed the iPad mount on its screen. Does it seem like a scene from a science fiction movie? Not anymore. According to a recent study conducted by Market Watch, robots are making it easier for employees to remotely attend board meetings with their colleagues.
Robotic platforms have been proven to enhance the quality of long-distance communication between people in separate geographical locations. Telepresence robots are more immersive than smartphone technology and are more portable than bulky telepresence devices. Therefore, it is anticipated that a growing number of individuals will seek to employ telepresence robots for remote observation purposes.
It is worth questioning whether video conferencing is essential for remote involvement in meetings. As noted in the article, “The Keys to a Successful Virtual Boardroom,” it may be challenging for remote employees to interact with the people present in person. During video calls, only one person can speak at a time, which may cause those in the room to feel excluded or unheard. While face-to-face interactions are preferred, group discussions can present difficulties.
Utilizing Robots to Extend Human Reach to the Earth’s Periphery
The saying “You can’t have your cake and eat it too” is frequently employed to discourage others. However, the potential of telepresence robots to facilitate remote work may contradict this notion. Working from home has its benefits, such as the convenience of a stable Wi-Fi connection, but it also entails the problem of not being visible in the workplace. Telepresence robots could offer a unique solution to this problem by allowing employees to locate colleagues in the break room, even if they are away from their desk or not responding to messages. Market Watch reports that ongoing research is investigating this topic further.
The global market for telepresence robots is expected to undergo substantial growth in the coming years. The allure of mobility and remote communication is becoming increasingly appealing to people, and telepresence robots provide an innovative solution to this.
In response to the popularity of the telepresence robot concept, the Optical Society (OSA) conducted research to evaluate its effectiveness for remote work. According to the findings, working remotely with a telepresence robot can provide many of the advantages of being physically present.
Presently, OSA has a total of 140 employees, with 12 individuals working remotely full-time from locations including California, Florida, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. OSA’s telework program has facilitated remote employment and aims to provide remote employees with greater autonomy and flexibility over their workday compared to traditional web-based collaboration tools.
Sean Bagshaw, Chief Information Officer and Chief Operating Officer of OSA.
The International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems paper emphasises:
When designing robotic telepresence systems, it is essential to consider the unique demands of teleworking environments. Solutions in this field must prioritize the robot’s portability in an office setting and its ability to interact seamlessly with humans, as both are critical for enabling successful remote collaboration among staff.
In other words, you can employ a robot to track down Bill in HR and have an in-person conversation with him while lounging in your bathrobe at home.
Robotic Telepresence Facilitates Remote Working
The potential applications of telepresence robots extend beyond facilitating remote work. According to recent reports from ZDNet, their use in the healthcare industry is on the rise, as robots enable surgeons to consult and receive support from specialists located hundreds or even thousands of miles away. OhmniLabs recognizes the difficulty of remote participation in meetings and has developed robots to help overcome this obstacle.
All users of telepresence robots will immensely benefit from the additional capability of reading handouts and viewing the contents written on a board.
Jared Go, CTO and Co-founder of OhmniLabs
Businesses like Cisco Systems and their remote workers are already reaping the rewards of utilizing telepresence robots.
A recent article titled “Like it or Not Remote Work is the Future of the Workforce” revealed that 53% of employees anticipate that more than half of the workforce will be remote by 2023, with 61% of office workers believing that video conferencing will support this transition. The introduction of telepresence robots has further streamlined and modernized this process.
If you intend to hire remote workers, do not hesitate to contact Works for assistance in establishing your remote workforce.
