New Business Techology: The Telenoid R1

The Telenoid R1, better known as the “tele-operated android”, created by Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro is the latest innovation in business technology. This Japanese robot has been designed to look like a human and adopt human-like characteristics. Ishiguro’s invention aims to enhance and improve business communications using a motion-tracking webcam to transmit your voice, facial expressions and head movements to the Telenoid, via a high-bandwidth web connection.

Whilst the Telenoid is the latest in business tools, this video by Xerox shows how businesses may prefer established technologies such as video conferencing and telepresence. Both have a huge advantage within businesses across the globe, essentially because they make human communication visual, focussed, and personal.

Conference attendees are portrayed life-sized on high-definition screens, while room lighting and furnishings are carefully matched to enhance the effect. Audio is high fidelity too, and the end result is a world away from the stuttery boardroom technology of old.

At $3000 the Telenoid is far more cost effective than the telepresence suite that can cost upwards of $300,000 to install, or $300 per hour to rent. That is a big outlay during the downturn – even if businesses can reduce travel expenses over time. But which technology will deliver and perform best over time?