• include an introduction consisting of describing the background of the case study.
• The review and answers should follow the standard
• The body of the paper should consist of the answering of all questions posed at the end of the selected case study.
• A Conclusion should be included as should citations
• In addition to the textbook, at least one other scholarly paper should be used.
  • At least one in-text citation is required for all referenced sources (textbook and additional other scholarly paper).Telepresence Robots Support Remote Collaboration

When a robot resembling a vacuum cleaner topped with a computer monitor rolls by you at work, you might at first think it is cleaning carpets. But if it stops to say hello, and you see a coworker's smiling face on the screen, the device is probably a "telepresence robot." Many organizations are experimenting with ways to improve collaboration for remote workers, and these robots are making a contribution.

The remote worker can log in to one of several wifi-connected robots the company might own and control its movements and cameras with a laptop. At meetings, the pilot can swivel the camera around to see everyone present, and the other attendees can see the remote worker's face on-screen.

Several telepresence robots have entered the market, and global demand is expected to reach $7 billion by 2022. They typically have motorized wheels, a microphone, speakers, a camera that faces forward, and another camera that tilts downward so the pilot can avoid obstacles on the floor.

The key ingredient for success is to make the robots easy to drive and manipulate and also ensure they have sufficient battery power so they don't strand the remote worker in a hallway just before an important meeting. The building layout is another consideration. The robot's wheels would get stuck if there are steps, and the robot would need assistance to unlock and open doors.

Reactions to Telepresence Robots

The telepresence robot is a significant improvement over the speakerphone and even over stationary videoconferencing facilities. One remote worker who tried out an experimental version recalled that at first, "The general response was that it was kind of creepy." But very soon colleagues were asking him to roll by their cubicles for a chat. He insists it is far better for collaboration than prearranged video calls. When he is rolling his robot through the halls, people can approach him to start a spontaneous conversation or ask a quick question. He could also move from floor to floor ... if someone pressed the elevator buttons for him.

To be effective, the devices should be simple to operate with a minimum of bells and whistles that might interfere with natural interactions. They should quickly lose their novelty in the workplace so coworkers can get back to work collaborating with one another.

Some workers raise concerns about privacy when they imagine camera-equipped devices creeping up behind them. The robot's design, however, can help mitigate such concerns. A large screen that clearly displays the remote operator's face will probably be perceived as telepresence, but a mobile device with just a tiny camera lens would be interpreted as surveillance. You would wonder who was viewing you and why. Also, efforts to enable the robots to show more nonverbal communication, such as head movements and gestures, may improve the way people interact with them.

Human Resources Issues

Telepresence robots raise numerous questions that don't fit neatly into existing labor policies or laws. For example, if a remote worker lives in Texas but pilots a robot every day in California, where should the person pay taxes? If the remote worker is in another country, does the person need a visa to work? What happens if the robot trips down the stairs or causes an accident?

These issues become even more challenging when the robots do actual physical labor. Employees at a company that manufactures robots were tired of doing the dishes, so they decided to hire someone to pilot a robot to do that task. They advertised online through Amazon Mechanical Turk and found an anonymous internet worker who learned how to pilot the device. The employees, however, became uncomfortable with some unknown person rolling about the company's kitchen, listening to their conversations. They decided to wash their own dishes.

Telepresence robots are already making a major contribution in medicine, where specialists can conduct live, virtual consultations with patients. Schoolchildren who can't get to school are also using the devices to "sit" in class, ask questions, and participate in discussions. As the technology improves and prices drop, expect to see these robots in many other places.

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Discussion Questions

1. 8-17. What are the benefits of telepresence robots for a company?
2. 8-18. What are the limitations of telepresence robots?
3. 8-19. How does the use of telepresence robots compare with traditional video conferencing?
4. 8-20. In what other settings might telepresence robots be applicable?

Sources: $7 billion telepresence robot market strategies and forecasts, worldwide, 2016-2022Research and markets. (March 31, 2016). Business Wire, http://search.proquest.com/abicomplete/docview/1776967176/abstract/FF2BBADD39B945B9PQ/4, accessed June 3, 2019.

Ackerman, E. (March 25, 2019). GITAI partners with JAXA to send telepresence robots to space. IEEE Spectrum: Technology, Engineering, and Science News, https://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/space-robots/gitai-partners-with-jaxa-to-send-telepresence-robots-to-space, accessed June 3, 2019.

Bamoallem, B. S., & Bamoallem, Banan S., B. (2016). The impact of head movements on user involvement in mediated interaction. Computers in Human Behavior, 55, 424-431.

Leber, J. (April 11, 2013). Does a tele-robot operator need a visa and W-2? MIT Technology Review, www.technologyreview.com/s/513571/does-a-tele-robot-operator-need-a-visa-and-w-2/, accessed March 3, 2019.

Markoff, J. (September 4, 2010). The boss is robotic, and rolling up behind you. New York Times, www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/science/05robots.html, accessed April 24, 2019.

Raths, D. (2015). 6 ways videoconferencing is expanding the classroom. T H E Journal, 42(4), 12-17.