Multi-User Telepresence Robot to Support Human Place Connection

We demonstrate a telepresence robot system that supports multiple users to visit a place together remotely. People create meanings in places through their personal and social experiences in the place. Interacting with places is essential for people to obtain new knowledge, build their social ties, and form personal identities. However, people may not always have access to places they want to go, in particular if they want to visit with other people and share the experience together. Telepresence robots have the promise to address this challenge by reducing the travel cost and easing the coordination effort among multiple visitors. We propose the design of a telepresence robot that allows multiple users to have shared experiences in remote places and enhances the bonding between people and the place.