If you are a hospital using telepresence robots already help battling Coronavirus or other uses, feel free to send any information on how you are cleaning your robots and how you are using your telepresence robot in general!  Simply call us or leave a message on our Contact Us page by clicking here.

– PCs/laptops have larger screens.  In addition to the larger view, this enables more features to be shown on the screen (such as a downward facing camera view, and options that can be clicked that otherwise could not be shown due to limited space).

– If using a smartphone or tablet you need to make sure you point the camera at yourself (which may be simple for a couple minutes but may become rather cumbersome on longer video calls).

– On a PC there is no need to worry about the battery on your phone/tablet being drained.

– Oftentimes, you can operate telepresence robots by simply logging in on a web browser, and don’t even need to install an app.

– PCs allow for greater multitasking capability since you can have multiple windows open.  Write or read notes while still looking at the same screen.

– Typically easier to drive a robot using a PC.  No need to worry about fingers slipping off the screen, or needing to be too precise with which part of the screen you press.

If you can think of any other advantages or disadvantages of using a PC to a smartphone or tablet, or if you have any related questions, feel free to let us know by reaching out via our Contact Us page!

Additionally, some robots will return to the charging dock on their own when the battery power is low.

If a manufacturer does not include the charging dock in the purchase, this usually signifies that this particular telepresence robot must be plugged directly into a wall socket using an included power cord.

While some telepresence robots have built-in monitors, and some have provided tablets, a few others require you to purchase your own tablet which can be simply connected to the robot.

Additionally, telepresence robots are controlled using personal computers, smart phones, or tablets.  Remote users will need one of those devices to operate and control the robot.

Some of these robots have unique features such as the “Follow Me” feature which, as one example, allows you to create a video while the robot’s camera “follows” you around the room.  A similar feature allows you to record the motion of the robot for later playback, which enables you to have a video or image or slideshow displayed while the screen rotates around as programmed.

An advantage that stationary telepresence robots have over mobile robots is that there is no worry of accidentally running into furniture or, more importantly, people.  Another advantage is that they are far less likely to lose network connectivity (WiFi, etc) because they are stationary and the robot will not lose its connection as it may if it were being driven around as a mobile telepresence robot would be.

A final note to consider is that stationary telepresence robots are often much less expensive than robots which are mobile.  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous character, Sherlock Holmes, once uttered a statement to the effect that someone who is wise gathers as much information as possible before making a decision.  The knowledge that stationary robots are less expensive should propogate more discussion when deciding about which telepresence robot will be most helpful for your business or hospital.  Decision-makers may consider placing a stationary robot in each office or room as an alternative to the mobile options.

If you are interested in viewing the available stationary telepresence robots and how they can be used, visit our Robots page, select “Stationary Telepresence” from the “Type” dropdown menu, and click the blue “Apply” button.  From there you will find robot videos, images, reviews, and other information to help you in your decision of which robot to purchase.  If you have any further questions, feel free to return to our Telepresence Robots FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page or contact us here.

As alluded to above, the question of whether a telepresence robot needs to be HIPAA compliant is moot.  In response to our query, the Office for Civil Rights and HHS stated, “we do not endorse any materials or systems as ‘HIPAA compliant.’”  Therefore, while manufacturers need not list their telepresence robots as having HIPAA compliance, the covered entity (as mentioned above) must ensure that any data transmission using the robot is secured according to HIPAA standards, whether that transmission includes the creation, sending, or receiving of protected information.  This includes transmission such as that achieved via the internet, extranet, private networks, and the physical movement of transportable electronic storage media, etc. An additional item to keep in mind is that, as Section 16 Part 103 of the act states, voice and video transmissions are not considered to be “transmissions via electronic media, because the information exchanged did not exist in electronic form before the transmission.”

The covered entity which employs the use of the telepresence robot is responsible for complying with HIPAA standards for all transmissions via the internet network(s) used and for complying with the standards regarding any data applications used with the robot.  For example, some robots include applications where a physician can view patient information, vital records, CT scans, etc. while simultaneously interacting with the patient visually and verbally.

While in most cases the security features (such as the encryption of data) used within applications for the telepresence robots should be enough to satisfy requirements, we advise contacting the robot manufacturer directly to ask which application is necessary to control the robot, to utilize additional features such as sending of written data or x-rays, etc., and if those applications are properly secured and protected in accordance with HIPAA regulations. For providers interested in telemedicine, or who are already utilizing telepresence robots within their medical clinics or hospitals, ensuring that the robot’s applications allow for you to continue in compliance with HIPAA will certainly be vital.

We at TelepresenceRobots.com hope this answer is both helpful and sufficient.  However, we are aware that, with the goal of being concise and helpful to visitors who are not fluent in legalese, the answer may not be as detailed as creators of the act would wish.  With that said, please refer to the US. Department of Health and Human Services for more information on HIPAA, or to see if your entity is covered by the HIPAA Security Rule, or to see if your entity is in alignment with HIPAA standards.  Section 164 Part 306, in particular, may be of great assistance in determining what responsibilities you have as a provider using a telepresence robot.

Feel free to leave any comments, concerns, or questions with us by using the Contact Us section of our website, which is located in the footer at the bottom of each page, or by clicking here.

– HD cameras

– Auto-docking (e.g. drive the robot to within a few feet of the dock and click a button to make the robot dock itself)

– Zoom capabilities

– Ability to raise/lower volume and speed of the telepresence robot

– Ability to swivel/tilt the head (or camera itself) of the robot

– Crash avoidance features (either obstacle detection and/or avoidance, or through the use of a downward facing camera).  Some robots have a “360 degree” camera which shows all of the area around the base, so you can see in all directions around you.

Different types of robots may have great variance concerning many of their features. Telemedicine robots, more commonly referred to as medical telepresence robots, have a distinct set of features. For example, they are capable of plugging into medical systems to monitor patient information, such as vital signs and patient history, and transmit that information to hospital staff and surgeons so they can view patient information on the same screen with their video conference with the patient or hospital staff. Additionally, medical telepresence robots and business telepresence robots may share such features as laser pointers and autonomous navigation. Autonomout navigation is linked to mapping technology, where a telepresence robot is programmed with the layout of a building and, upon clicking on a specific location, the robot will navigate to that location without any assistance from the robot operator.  Usually, you can remain in a video call while the robot moves, leaving your hands free to type or write while the robot drives for you.

A full list of features can be found on our robots and comparison pages.