A Touch of Humanity: Telepresence Bridging Humans and Robots

Ever imagined being able to move and act somewhere else without leaving your home? That’s the magic of telepresence in robotics—allowing humans to control a robot remotely as if they were physically there. Telepresence opens up incredible opportunities for work, exploration, and social connection, especially through humanoid and quadrupedal robots designed to interact with human environments.

What is Telepresence in Robotics?

In simple terms, telepresence means controlling a robot from a distance with live audio-visual feedback so the operator can see, hear, and respond in real-time. It’s like putting your own senses and actions into the robot, enabling you to work, communicate, or explore places without physically being present.

For humanoid robots, telepresence means mimicking human movements and speech, making them excellent avatars for social interaction or service roles. Quadruped robots, meanwhile, excel in navigating tough terrains remotely, enabling inspection or delivery tasks in hazardous or hard-to-reach locations.

The Tech Behind a Reliable Connection

A seamless telepresence experience demands robust technology:

• High-bandwidth low-latency communication: Real-time control requires fast and stable internet or private network connections to transmit video streams and commands without delays.
• High-resolution cameras and microphones: Operators need clear sights and sounds to respond effectively.
• Precise and intuitive controls: Motion capture suits, VR/AR headsets, or even gesture recognition let operators naturally control robot movement and actions.
• Local processing and edge computing: To reduce lag, robots process sensor data locally and relay essential feedback, ensuring smooth and responsive operation.

Robots on the Remote Frontier

Many humanoid and quadruped robots today can be teleoperated:

• Unitree Go2: Designed for inspection and delivery, Go2 offers remote control with real-time video feeds, helping operators manage logistics in hazardous industrial environments safely.
• Spot: Spot can be driven remotely using tablets or VR devices, serving in construction, security, and search-and-rescue missions.
• Optimus: Tesla aims to empower humanoid telepresence for workplace assistance, combining flexible movement with AI-driven task execution.

A Heartwarming Example: Avatar Robot Cafe DAWN

Tokyo’s Avatar Robot Cafe DAWN is a shining example of telepresence’s social impact. Here, people with disabilities and mobility challenges remotely operate humanoid robots called OriHime to serve customers. This innovative cafe creates job opportunities and social connections for individuals unable to work in traditional settings.

The robots, controlled through intuitive interfaces, become the avatar of the operator, allowing them to communicate, take orders, and serve food—all from the comfort of their homes or hospitals. It’s a beautiful illustration of technology empowering inclusion and independence.

Telepresence in Surgery: Bridging the Distance

Tele-surgery systems like the da Vinci Surgical System have pioneered remote-assisted surgery with robotic arms that mimic a surgeon’s hand movements via a console. While traditionally used with the surgeon nearby, newer efforts focus on remote teleoperation across hospitals or countries.

This technology requires ultra-low latency networks, robust communication links, and sophisticated AI to ensure safety, precision, and responsiveness during procedures. Telepresence robotics not only break geographical barriers but also enhance patient outcomes by enabling timely expert intervention anywhere in the world.

Emerging platforms are combining 5G communications and AI-enhanced visual processing to enable surgeons to virtually “step inside” the operating room. Robotic instruments provide high dexterity and haptic feedback, allowing surgeons to feel resistance and textures remotely—bridging sensory gaps and enhancing control.

Besides complex surgeries, telepresence robots assist in minimally invasive procedures or telestration—where experts annotate live video feeds to guide on-site clinicians—fostering collaborative care in underserved regions.

Imagine the Possibilities

Telepresence is breaking physical barriers, enabling people to be present anywhere through the eyes, ears, and hands of robots. Whether it’s delivering supplies in a dangerous industrial site or giving those with disabilities a chance to shine socially and professionally, humanoid and quadrupedal robots are becoming the bridge that connects us beyond physical limits.

If you could control a robot anywhere in the world, what would you want it to do? How far could your presence reach?