In July 2020, Blue Ocean Robotics’ subsidiary GoBe Robots announced a new generation of its climate-friendly telepresence robots with significant demand driven by COVID-19 pandemic.
Designed to provide users with the experience of being in a meeting without actually going there, GoBe Robots are remotely controlled enabling a “distinct feeling” of being where the robot is as they receive live video streams of the location as the robot moves around it. This further enables active collaboration and interaction between people, no matter how far they are from each other.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, GoBe Robots have also emerged as an effective tool in breaking down chains of infection, preventing the spread of coronavirus and other diseases and overcoming closed borders — while reducing travel budgets, working hours and transport time.
“During the global virus epidemic, we have seen significant growth in orders,” Peter Juhl Voldsgaard, CEO of GoBe Robots, said at the time of the next-gen product announcement. “Telepresence robots have now become a standard technology that everyone can understand. The experience our technology gives of almost being there in person is unique. We’re now taking that experience to the next level.”
The new GoBe Robots telepresence robot allows communication through a 21.5-inch screen that reproduces the user’s face in natural size. A zoomable 4K camera and a wide-angle front camera give the “robot pilot” a clear overview of the location the GoBe robot discovers. This robot also stands out with an open system that creates even more applications and allows users to maximize the potential of the technology. For example, trade show organizers can give remote attendees the ability to book themselves directly into the telepresence robot and experience booths and events while engaging with exhibitors.
As of mid-2020, GoBe Robots had more than 150,000 existing users of its telepresence robots, which contribute to colossal CO2 reductions. As an example, a trip from Copenhagen to Singapore emits approx. 3.1 ton of CO2 per person. Using the GoBe Robots telepresence robot for a visit to Singapore emits a fraction of CO2, even when the power consumption of streaming and server hosting is taken into account. A company in Europe with 20 employees traveling to Asia four times a year saves 500,000 kilos of CO2 by replacing air travel with the telepresence robot.
The GoBe Robot also helps sick children with access to school and peers, and it can give people with disabilities access to more places and experiences in the community such as museums and conferences. The CO2 reductions are also realized in the manufacturing sector.
Takeaway
By doing all this, GoBe Robots serves as an effective tool in breaking down chains of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its main goal, however, is to reduce CO2 emissions by making many trips redundant.
Action point
A single GoBe Robots unit is something every municipality should have. It could not only serve in times of crises (pandemic) but also for enabling work from home for the employees who need it. Reduced CO2 emissions alone should be a reason enough for procuring one of these robots, but if you need more reasons here are two: keeping the city's staff safe during a pandemic and reducing travel expenses. Plus, let's not forget that owning one (or more) of these robots shows how tech-savvy your municipality is. And that has to count for something.
Considering that things won't get back to normal that fast and that many people will opt to work from home whenever possible - it shouldn't be hard for your company to sell GoBe Robots to municipalities you already serve or want to serve. And the same could be said for other major companies in your area who too could benefit from owning a telepresence robot. It will not only help them reduce their CO2 emissions but also cut their travel expenses — all while promoting themselves as a tech-savvy business.