first

In the past, remote communication was centered on letters and face-to-face conversations. Then the telephone came along, and methods that incorporate video, such as videophones and videoconferencing, became widespread. Recently, the technology of telepresence (giant videoconferencing), which pursues a sense of realism, has advanced, and it has even evolved into mobile telepresence robots.
In this article, we look back at the history of the evolution of remote communication, explain why telepresence robots are attracting attention, and look at their future potential from the perspective of "information volume."

The transition of remote communication and initial resistance

The era of letters and face-to-face conversations

Looking back at history, the main way to communicate with people far away was by letter. It was common knowledge at the time that relying on written information meant that messages had to be revised many times to convey accurate feelings to the other person, and communication took time. If you wanted to talk in person, you had no choice but to go to the place and have a face-to-face conversation.

The advent of the telephone and skepticism

When the telephone first appeared in this era, people were skeptical, saying things like, "It's unsettling not being able to see the other person just by voice," and "Is communication via machine really convenient?" However, the benefits of being able to talk in real time without having to go to the trouble of meeting someone were overwhelming, and it quickly became popular.

The path to widespread use of "video conferencing" and "video telephones"

Following the telephone, when "videoconferencing" and "videophones" appeared, which allow simultaneous sharing of video and audio, many people had doubts about whether communication could really be achieved through a screen, and whether it was different from face-to-face communication after all. Nevertheless, with the evolution of communication infrastructure and the reduction in the cost of equipment, their use expanded from business to home. Gradually, they became a "common tool."

The rise of "telepresence" that pursues a sense of realism

It feels as if the other person is right in front of you

Telepresence is an advanced form of videoconferencing that has been introduced mainly by large companies. It is equipped with a large display and high-quality sound system, and aims to create a sense of presence as if the other person is sitting next to you. At first, there were voices questioning whether it was really necessary to go to such lengths due to the high implementation costs, but the effectiveness of reducing travel costs for global-scale conferences was recognized, and the number of cases where it was introduced increased.

The potential of "Telepresence Robots"

 A new experience of being "there" while moving

"Telepresence robots" have been attracting attention recently as an advanced version of telepresence. By remotely controlling a robot equipped with a monitor, camera, microphone, speaker, etc., you can talk to local people while "moving around the space" even if you are far away. For example, a robot can patrol departments in an office and chat, or go around booths at an event venue and easily interact with multiple people.

Social impact of lowering barriers

This will also open up new possibilities for people with physical limitations or mobility issues: hospitalized patients will be able to check in on how their children and grandchildren are doing through a robot, and elderly people who live far away will be able to visit their children and grandchildren.

The importance of "amount of information" and "sharing space"

"Amount of information" in remote communication

The key to the accuracy of remote communication is the quantity and quality of information that can be transmitted. With a telephone call, you can only hear the other person's tone of voice, but with a video call you can see their facial expressions and the state of your surroundings. Furthermore, with a telepresence robot, you can look around the space from your own perspective and pick up on the other person's position and reactions from multiple angles.

Acquiring a sense that approaches the five senses

The sense of realism created by the robot moving around gives you a sense of immersion, as if you were there. In the future, if information such as temperature and smell can be transmitted, it will be possible to have an experience that is even closer to the five senses.

The benefits of increased information density

Reducing misunderstandings and miscommunications

With limited information, it can be difficult to read the other person's true intentions or to understand the background situation, which can delay decision-making. By using a telepresence robot, it becomes easier to grasp the reactions of those around you, the direction of the voice, the overall atmosphere, and so on, reducing misunderstandings and miscommunications.

Increased engagement

For example, in remote work, a sense of "sharing space together" is more likely to increase a sense of camaraderie and motivation than a simple video conference. In fields such as schools, medical care, and nursing care, feeling like you are "participating in the field" can increase your sense of ownership and lead to deeper communication.

Issues in dissemination and scenarios for solving them

Lower hardware costs

Just as videoconferencing systems were expensive in the past, the initial introduction cost of telepresence robots will be a bottleneck. However, as technological development and mass production progress, cheaper and easier-to-introduce devices will appear, and the price barrier will gradually come down.

Ease of operation

If the operation is complicated, it will take time for it to become widespread. However, there are now an increasing number of systems that allow you to intuitively control robots using smartphones and tablets. By lowering the difficulty of operation, it will be easier for new users to get involved.

Development of high-speed communication infrastructure

As high-speed communications such as 5G and 6G become more widespread, delays in video and audio will decrease, making it easier to maintain high-quality connections. For telepresence robots, which place importance on a sense of realism, a communications environment with little delay or blur is a vital part of their widespread use.

The future of telepresence robots

 Redefining the concept of "mobility"

When we become able to move around physical spaces remotely, the concepts of "movement" and "attendance" will change dramatically. In a society where we can send our avatars anywhere in the world "through robots," the way people work, learn, and form communities will be significantly reorganized.

The "telepathic" technology that lies ahead

It is possible that in the future, technology will emerge that can directly communicate with the brain. Even in that case, the idea of ​​"sharing space" will be an important key. Telepresence robots are a big step towards that future.

The day when this becomes commonplace is just around the corner

At first, people wondered if telephones, videophones, and even telepresence could really be used, but their convenience and practicality have made them popular in society. Telepresence robots are likely to follow the same path, and with falling prices, improved operability, and advances in communications infrastructure, the day when sharing a "space" with remote locations will become commonplace is not far off.
The amount of information increases, misunderstandings and miscommunications decrease, and the barriers to participation in society become lower... Considering these benefits, it is safe to say that a future in which telepresence robots are integrated into our daily lives is quite realistic.