Transforming Remote Work: The Best Telepresence Robots for Collaborative Success

The field of telepresence robots offers a range of options to go beyond traditional video conferencing and create a more collaborative remote work environment. Here are some of the best telepresence robot solutions available in the market today:

1. Ohmni Robot by OhmniLabs: This budget-friendly telepresence robot weighs just 20 pounds and features a 4K HD wide-angle camera, far-field microphone and speakers, and auto-docking capabilities. It offers HD+ resolution streaming and real-time full-resolution zoom. While it lacks automatic height adjustment, it compensates with its ultra-responsive tilting neck and affordable price point.
2. Double 3 by Double Robotics: Double 3 is an upgraded version that replaces the iPad with a fully integrated solution, featuring an Nvidia Jetson TX2 GPU, Intel RealSense depth sensors, and high-resolution cameras. It offers improved functionality, including obstacle avoidance and mixed reality overlays for a more immersive experience. While it may be pricier than Ohmni, it provides great sensors and adjustable height to suit users’ needs.
3. Ava by Ava Robotics: Ava stands out with its intelligent autonomous navigation, making it ideal for large workspaces, events, and retail environments. It utilizes advanced mapping and obstacle avoidance capabilities, providing a sleek form factor and enterprise-grade security features. Ava is designed for high-end corporate settings and sectors like hospitality, though it may be too expensive for smaller businesses.
4. Meeting Owl Pro 360 by Owl Labs: While not a traditional robot, the Meeting Owl Pro offers a tabletop solution for highly affordable and user-friendly video conferencing. Its 360-degree camera and eight-microphone array automatically focus on the speaker and provide panoramic views of the meeting. The Pro version enhances the audio pickup range and picture quality, making it suitable for larger teams.
5. Kubi Classic by Kubi: Kubi is a cost-effective docking cradle for tablets that adds movement to video conferencing. It allows remote participants to look around the room and engage with speakers, making it useful in team environments. While it may have limited utility compared to other options, its compatibility with existing devices and lower price point make it a viable choice for educational settings.

When advocating for telepresence at work, it’s crucial to highlight the collaborative benefits and address concerns about implementation. Emphasize how telepresence can maximize collaboration and simulate the interactions that happen in person. User-friendly interfaces and ready-to-use systems should be highlighted to alleviate any training concerns.

When selecting a telepresence robot, consider the intended users and settings. For enhancing video conferencing, solutions like Meeting Owl or Kubi may suffice. For client-facing environments, sleek options like Ava can make a great impression, albeit at a higher cost. SMBs can opt for affordable and seamless options like Double or Ohmni, starting with one shared robot and scaling up as needed.

Telepresence robots offer the potential to revolutionize remote work by enabling more interactive and engaging communication. By selecting the right hardware and advocating for its benefits, organizations can create a truly collaborative remote work environment.