Remote Presence

Doctors have successfully operated on a pig – from 9,300 km (5,780 miles) away. Surgeons in Switzerland used a game controller to perform an endoscopy in Hong Kong, paving the way for remote procedures in humans where local expertise isn’t available.

When someone has experienced a stroke, they may require a surgical procedure known as an endovascular intervention. A new MIT-designed robotic system could ensure that they receive the treatment quickly, even if the physician is nowhere nearby.

A systemic review has concluded cognitive behavioral therapy does not need to be conducted in person to be effective. The study found the therapy was as effective when administered using video conferencing and email tools, as face-to-face sessions.

IBM is developing a prototype robot that’s a combination of a smartphone app and a camera/projector mounted on a robot arm, to allow supervisors and experts to have a more active presence on the job.

The LifeBot 5 is a portable telemedicine unit for use by people such as EMTs and army medics.

Scientists have used a telepresence system to allow humans and rats to communicate at a distance.

Suitable Technologies, a spin-off of Willow Garage, has revealed the Beam remote presence system.