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HeadThere, Inc. announces the Giraffe, the first video conferencing robot for homes and businesses.San Francisco, CA - March 6, 2007 -- HeadThere Inc. today announced the Giraffe Video Conferencing Robot. The Giraffe revolutionizes communication by enabling people who are far away to enjoy all the benefits of real-life face to face communication -- while costing less than a good laptop computer. Using the Giraffe, a distant team member can interact and socialize with peers at their company's headquarters without ever stepping on a plane. An engineer can see and speak with anyone on the factory floor, even from a different country. These capabilities decrease travel expenses while fostering collaboration. The Giraffe is a mobile robot that can be moved around its location by remote control using the Internet. The Giraffe allows a user to hear, see, and speak at a far away location, just like traditional video conferencing. This fusion of robotics and video conferencing allows a user to feel like they are at the robot's location. Because people near the robot can see and hear the user, they interact with him as if he were truly present. In a sense, the robot acts as a stand-in for the user. The Giraffe weighs 35lb ( 16kg ) and stands 5' 8" ( 173cm ) tall. The Giraffe displays a video image of the caller at human head height. At the touch of a button the Giraffe's height lowers from its full height to a typical sitting height. This allows for natural eye-to-eye conversation with others whether they are sitting or standing. The abilities to move about, turn in place, and look up and down also combine to make a user feel like they are in the Giraffe's location. Like any new form of communication, the Giraffe's applications are virtually unlimited. Popular applications include telecommuting, remote team supervision, remote factory tours, and keeping in touch with loved ones. The Giraffe features a large 14" screen, a 2 megapixel high resolution camera, an innovative suspension system, and an easy to use interface. With only one click the user can move the Giraffe to anywhere she sees on her computer screen. Turning the Giraffe in place, and moving the head up and down are just as simple. The Giraffe will retail for between $1800 and $3000. The Giraffe also has a number of privacy features so everyone can be sure it will only be used when appropriate. For example, a physical switch disconnects the camera and microphone when it is not appropriate for the Giraffe to accept calls automatically. This makes it impossible for the Giraffe to be used for spying. Telepresence robots have previously been confined to niche markets due to their expense, high weight and poor usability. HeadThere's innovative user interface, lightweight design, and dramatically lower price point finally bring telepresence to the mainstream. The Giraffe is expected to be commercially available in 2008.
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