VRoxy (VR telepresence system)

2023: Product Announcement

On November 1, 2023, researchers at Cornell University and Brown University announced the development of a VRoxy system that creates a virtual copy of a person. The latter can repeat movements behind a person, as well as move independently within the same location.

VRoxy Telepresence System

At the moment, the development is at the stage of having a working prototype. The VRoxy robot consists of plastic beams that form a "body," wheels for movement and a display for displaying a copy. Also, a camera for orientation in space is installed on the robot.

A remote user simply has to wear a Quest Pro VR helmet. This distinguishes the development from other inventions that use a bulky and inconvenient software complex.

In the helmet, the user can use either the view on behalf of the robot, or look at the 3D map of the space in which the robot is located. The user can choose the location in which he would like to be, and the robot will independently move there. Upon arrival, the robot will automatically switch the user's picture to a first-person view. Such a system not only frees the user from the need to "control" the movements of the robot manually, but also relieves him of the vertigo characteristic of using a helmet.

During testing, scientists successfully used the robot when moving from the laboratory to the office, performing various tasks along the road.

The helmet also analyzes gestures and movements of the user's eyes, relaying them to the display. The robot can even track the movements of the head, while tilting its screen in accordance with them. When a person points a finger at something, the robot also repeats behind him. Researchers hope to add full-fledged two robo-hands to the robot in the future.^[1]

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