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Last year designer David Cann and engineer Marc DeVidts launched Double Robotics, a Mountain-View-based firm that aims to pair robotics with a "rich user experience that is seldomly found in the field." They're currently gearing up to release their first product, an iPad-based telepresence platform, this December.
Called Double, it consists of a Segway-esque, self-balancing dual-wheel base, a stalk and a mounting bracket for an iPad. A remote user drives it from afar with an iPhone/iPad/iPod or desktop, and can also choose to raise or lower the stalk to achieve sitting or standing height for virtual face-to-face meetings. When not in motion, the contraption automatically deploys kickstands to save on power.
Hit the jump to see it in action...
Double Robotics is aiming the platform at offices, schools, manufacturing facilities, and even museums and galleries, which they hope will make it available for virtual visits. (How cool would it be to roam Uffizi from the confines of your lousy, art-free apartment?) It's currently available for pre-order at a $500 discount off of the $2,499 asking price.
Comments
There are lots of things to say about this, but I only have time for 1:
Why the "Segway-esque, self-balancing dual-wheel base" with automatically deployable kickstands, and not some cheap RC car parts with 4 wheels that would render the whole unit cost less than the $500 discount?
A four wheeled vehicle with a telescopic ipad stand would be inherently unstable. In fact, if you think about it, it wouldn't even able to drive forward without toppling. It would have to crawl in order to take off or stop.
This system accounts for the inertia generated by the weight of the ipad. It leans forward before it starts to drive.
Has anyone ever seen Surrogates? If yes, you'll understand the reference. If not, http://lmgtfy.com/?q=surrogates+movie
@bar, groundmonkey
The same logic that keeps the single axle design from tipping would work for 4 wheels, along with proper weight distribution. The key is in the software for managing inertial forces. The software control loop variables would just have to be tuned to work with the RC hardware.
That's said, this is an awesomely realized concept. It just needs the popular understanding of Occam's Razor applied to the engineered cost of the thing.
Edward, if I understand your suggestion, you'd need a powered pivot at the bottom of the pole so it could be leaned forward or backwards as the 4 wheeled platform speeds up or slows down. Sounds tricky and expensive to me. Also, compared with two large wheels, four small wheels deliver a much bumpier ride (making the camera image bounce around), get stuck and bellied more easily (think of door jams), and lack zero degree turning (ie: turning on the spot).