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Robotic Teleconferencing

Posted by michael on from the ten-seconds-to-comply dept.

Mike Elgan writes "Hewlett-Packard Labs unveiled to the press May 23 a system for teleconferencing with lifelike realism.Called the BiReality remote communication system, the project involves a remote-controlled robot on one end, and a total-immersion environment on the other, giving the user the ability to roam hallways, hold conversations and interact remotely through the robot."

12 of 97 comments (clear)

  1. Crashes fast! by IO+ERROR · · Score: 4, Funny
    HP Fellow Norm Jouppi told HP World Magazine that the BiReality system prototype, now in its second version, is made with off-the-shelf parts, including two very fast Windows PCs, four cameras, a series of directional microphones and speakers.


    This prototype will crash even faster than the previous prototype! It crashes very fast!


    Which brings up another point. What if the robot is moving when Windows crashes? Will it STOP, or just display a STOP error while it keeps on rolling right into somebody?

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    1. Re:Crashes fast! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      The robot is a complex system with many contingency plans. In the event of a system crash it would revert to a simple "Kill all humans" routine until the system can be brought back online.

  2. doom? by romit_icarus · · Score: 5, Funny

    ..total-immersion environment on the other, giving the user the ability to roam hallways, hold conversations and interact remotely through the robot. Am I the only one who is thinking Doom??

  3. Sounds very handy by SRCR · · Score: 5, Funny

    This way I'll still be able to kick the other person in the groin even with teleconferencing.. This rulez

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  4. I'd like to have a doxen of these... by jkrise · · Score: 4, Funny

    And install them at the offices of His Billness, His Baldness, Rosen, Boies, etc. Only then will our computing experince become trustworthy.

    One worry though:
    "the BiReality system .. is made with..two very fast Windows PCs, four cameras, a series of directional microphones and speakers. "

    I can't locate even 1 Very Fast Windows PC yet. I'd need 4 dozens here. Anyone seen such a PC yet? Windows95 on a P4 2.4GHz maybe?

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    If you keep throwing chairs, one day you'll break windows....
  5. Why does this remind me... by Mossfoot · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... of that spiderlike mobile holoprojector used by Darth Sideous in The Phantom Menace?

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    Fuzzy Knights: New RPG Strips Tuesday and Friday!:
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  6. 2 words by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Beedee beedee.......

  7. If you combine telepresence robotics with by mikeophile · · Score: 3, Funny

    This, I think it might be the killer application of home robotics.

  8. Re:Will tomorrow... by Bluesman · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yeah, and you just KNOW your girlfriend's robot would look a lot better than the real thing.

    When your robot is dating a "big boned, but attractive" robot, watch out.

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    If moderation could change anything, it would be illegal.
  9. But... by Faust7 · · Score: 3, Funny

    a remote-controlled robot on one end,

    I already teleconference with my boss.

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    The coolest voice ever.
  10. A Bi Reality by any other name... by PoisonousPhat · · Score: 3, Funny

    Me and my dirty mind. I think HP, given the function and description of this project, should rename it to something other than "BiReality", unless they are pursuing a client base of alternative lifestyle teleconferencers.

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    Losers choose to abuse the use of "loose".
  11. It's First Macro Virus by raumdass · · Score: 3, Funny

    "It's just strange Johnson, one minute we were discussing the quarterly financials, and the next thing you know, he starts breakdancing and shouting 'You've been 0wned'".