Telerobotics

At increasing levels of sophistication the device may operate somewhat independently in matters such as obstacle avoidance, also commonly employed in planetary rovers.

Placing the robotic camera in a perspective that allows intuitive control is a recent technique that although based in Science Fiction (Robert A. Heinlein's 1942 short story "Waldo") has not been fruitful as the speed, resolution and bandwidth have only recently been adequate to the task of being able to control the robot camera in a meaningful way.

Any issues such as, inadequate resolution, latency of the video image, lag in the mechanical and computer processing of the movement and response, and optical distortion due to camera lens and head mounted display lenses, can cause the user 'simulator sickness' that is exacerbated by the lack of vestibular stimulation with visual representation of motion.

[citation needed] The tendency to build robots has been to minimize the degrees of freedom because that reduces the control problems.

Recent improvements in computers has shifted the emphasis to more degrees of freedom, allowing robotic devices that seem more intelligent and more human in their motions.

Additional modifications may include merged data displays such as Infrared thermal imaging, real-time threat assessment, or device schematics.

[7] The prevalence of high quality video conferencing using mobile devices, tablets and portable computers has enabled a drastic growth in telepresence robots to help give a better sense of remote physical presence for communication and collaboration in the office, home, school, etc.

Traditional videoconferencing systems and telepresence rooms generally offer pan-tilt-zoom cameras with far end control.

The ability for the remote user to turn the device's head and look around naturally during a meeting is often seen as the strongest feature of a telepresence robot.

[15] Some telepresence robots are highly helpful for some children with long-term illnesses, who were unable to attend school regularly.

Latest innovative technologies can bring people together, and it allows them to stay connected to each other, which significantly help them to overcome loneliness.

NIST maintains a set of test standards used for Emergency Response[17] and law enforcement telerobotic systems.