IvanAnywhere

IvanAnywhere is a simple, remote-controlled telepresence robot created by Sybase iAnywhere programmers to enable their co-worker, Ivan Bowman, to efficiently remote work.

In 2002 his wife received a job in Halifax approximately 2,000 km (1,200 mi) from his place of work in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, North America.

[1] Using speakerphone during meetings was less than ideal because Ivan could not see his co-workers' visual communication clues, or what they wrote on the white board.

[3] In January 2007, after considering different possible designs and getting through a number of deadlines related to iAnywhere releases, Ian started working on a proof-of-concept: a tablet computer and webcam mounted on a radio-controlled toy truck.

The motor and wheel assemblies support "tank drive" so that Ivan can negotiate through doorways and meeting rooms more easily.

Above the motors sits a box filled with wires, various electronics, and batteries which power the robot for a full work day.

[2] In October 2007, a digital camera was mounted on the bar so that Ivan could take high-resolution pictures of whiteboards, presentation slides, and overheads, or just look out the window.