Design and Implementation of Telepresence Robot

Telepresence robots are a type of remote-controlled robot that are designed to provide an immersive and interactive experience for remote users. These robots can be controlled from a remote location, allowing the user to interact with the physical environment in real time. They are becoming increasingly popular in various fields, including healthcare, education, and remote collaboration. The University of Technology Bahrain (UTB) has developed a telepresence robot to address a common issue faced by many students who are unable to visit the university for small tasks, such as seeking clarification from professors or checking on the status of requests at the registration department. The UTB Telepresence robot is designed to be controlled remotely via the Internet. With live video calling capabilities, users can easily navigate the robot and communicate seamlessly with university personnel. The robot's real-time control mechanism is facilitated by WebSocket technology, allowing for duplex communication between connected devices. Additionally, NodeMCU based on ESP8266 enables easy internet connectivity. The custom-built video calling application is developed using WebRTC technology, and the mechanical structure of the robot is designed using Fusion 360 and 3D printed to provide maximum design flexibility. The potential benefits of using telepresence robots include increased accessibility to remote locations, improved communication and collaboration among geographically dispersed individuals or teams, and enhanced learning experiences in online education.