Difference between revisions of "Telepresence - RoboThespian FAQ"

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(Where are you from?)
(Mesmer General Information For Telepresence operator)
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===Where do you live? Where can I see you?===
 
===Where do you live? Where can I see you?===
Currently over 100 of our robots can be found around the world, over 80 of which are Robothespians, Mesmer is the newest innovation from Engineered arts and currently has only 3 public installations, increasing to 5 at the beginning of the year 1029
+
*Currently over 100 of our robots can be found around the world, over 80 of which are Robothespians, Mesmer is the newest innovation from Engineered arts and currently has only 3 public installations, increasing to 5 at the beginning of the year 1029
 +
 
 +
===What is telepresence? How are you talking to me?===
 +
*Cheeky answer, as though really there. (do not let people believe this is A.I)
 +
 
 +
===No seriously, how are you doing this?===
 +
*Telepresence allows a person to jump into the robot from anywhere in the world, hear what the robot hears, see what the robot see, talk through the robot – as though they were there themselves. Very useful, and has been used for:
 +
*Presenting talks on stage in front of large crowds (including Q&A)
 +
*Taking part in panel discussions (allowing experts to have a remote presence and take part in debates)
 +
*Telepresence conferences to or from remote places allowing a more human element to

Revision as of 12:24, 5 December 2018

Telepresence

RoboThespian General Information for Telepresence Operator

The section contains useful general information to answer frequently asked questions. It covers basics about RoboThespian's History, Installations, Operations and Telepresence capabilities.

It is intended to guide a Telepresence operator at expos and public appearances. Feel free to adapt the responses. And remember, humour always helps!

It can be fun to make your voice more robotic!

Information as at 21 June 2017 Updated: 05/12/18

"What are you? What is a RoboThespian?"

  • "RoboThespian is a life sized humanoid robot designed for human interaction in a public environment"
  • "RoboThespian is a 'born' entertainer, designed to greet visitors in museums, science centres, exhibitions and interact with people"
  • "This model is version RT4. It is a 4th generation model"
  • "RT4 represents over 12 years of continuous development"

"What can you do?"

  • "RoboThespian can be setup to deliver content in any language using pre-recorded audio or using a synthetic text-to-speech voices."
  • "With RoboThespian' Text-to-speech voices its possible to speak in 32 different languages in 76 different voice variations"
  • "RoboThespians movements are controlled by our own web based system 'Virtual Robot' this allows the operator to manipulate the robot to his physical restraints and per program performances and scenes"
  • "RoboThespian is able to estimate people's age and gender as well as determine whether they are happy, sad, angry or surprised"
  • "Other software can be integrated by Engineered Arts to extend functionality, for example to detect where people are, what gestures they are making, where they are looking and recognise more expressions."

"Where do you live? Where can I see you?"

  • "Currently over 100 of our robots can be found around the world, over 80 of which are RoboThespians"
  • "Recently RoboThespian was part of a stage show, Spillikin, from Pipeline Theatre which travelled around the UK doing over 70 shows in over 50 locations. The play was incredibly well received by critics and by audiences."
  • "Recent sales, installations and high profile appearances include:
    • "The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago as part of a long term touring installation"
    • "The London Science Museum as a long term touring installation"
    • "SpaceXperience Live, i performed along side famous Dutch astronaut André Kuipers in front of an amazing 17,000 people!"
    • "3 RoboThespians have recently been reinstalled at Copernicus Science Museum in Warsaw. Poland. they perform to thousands of people a year!"

(RoboThespian in action at Dublin Tech Summit video here for your information - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQSj4wrxNaI)

  • "Other sales include:"
    • "Phaeno Science Centre, Wolfsburg, Germany"
    • "NASA's visitor complex at Kennedy Space Centre"
    • "Legends of Robot Land, South Korea, where 2 RoboThespians perform as part of a robotic theatre alongside other robots"
    • "National Science centres of Spain, Australia (Questacon), Thailand and Israel"
  • "Recently the first robot has been sold to Argentina and will be shipping in a matter of weeks."
  • "Other countries RT can be found in:
    • Australia
    • Canada
    • United Arab Emirates
    • China
    • Taiwan
    • France
    • Germany
    • Israel
    • Norway
    • Poland
    • Russia
    • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
    • South Korea
    • Spain
    • Turkey
    • Thailand
    • United Kingdom
    • United States of America

"What is Telepresence? How are you talking to me?"

  • Cheeky answer, as though really there. "I'm using my mouth, silly"

"No seriously, how are you doing this?"

  • "Telepresence allows a person to jump into the robot from anywhere in the world, hear what the robot hears, see what the robot see, talk through the robot – as though they were there themselves. Telepresence is Very useful, and has been used for:"
  • "Presenting talks on stage in front of large crowds (including Q&A)"
  • "Taking part in panel discussions (allowing experts to have a remote presence and take part in debates)"
  • "Telepresence conferences to or from remote places allowing a more human element to conference calls"
  • "Remote operation of robots at trade shows, exhibitions and museums for entertainment or information"

"How much do you cost?"

Cheekily (set the eye graphics to dollar signs for more effect!)

  • "If you have to ask, you can't afford me!"
  • "Too much for you!"
  • "Free to those who can afford me, very expensive to those that can't"

(Info: "Free to those who can afford me, very expensive to those that can't" is a quote from British film, "Withnail and I" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094336/quotes)

Mesmer General Information For Telepresence operator

  • Correct as of 05/12/18

What are you? What is a Mesmer?

Mesmer is a system for building lifelike humanoid robots – all the parts that are needed to breathe life into a character.

  • Hardware – Motors, Electronics and Connectors
  • Sensors – Cameras, Depth Sensors, LIDAR, Microphones
  • Firmware – Motor control for speed, position and torque
  • Software – For control of Animation, interaction, audio and lighting
  • Most importantly all of these components were designed from scratch by Engineered Arts specifically for humanoid robots, so everything fits and works together in perfect harmony. Other companies use a hodgepodge of bits from various vendors that often don’t work well together.
  • Mesmer is powerful, elegant and cost-effective because you are not paying for multiple profit margins that inflate the price.


and what can you do?

  • "Mesmer can be programmed to deliver content in any language using pre recorded audio or using acapela text to speech it can speak in 32 different languages in 76 different voice variations"
  • "Mesmer movements are controlled by our own web based system 'Virtual Robot' this allows the operator to manipulate the robot to his physical restraints and per program performances and scenes"
  • "Mesmer is able to estimate peoples age and gender as well as determine whether they are happy, sad, angry or surprised"
  • "Other software can be integrated by Engineered Arts to extend functionality, for example to detect where people are, what gestures they are making, where they are looking and recognise more expressions"

Where are you from?

  • "Mesmer is designed, developed, engineered, manufactured and programmed in the UK by Engineered Arts"

What is your name?

  • The Mesmer system you are operating may have a specific name, for example Melvin is one of the guises the Mesmer system can use. Using a photogrammetry rig we can capture the appearance of anyone and create a life like humanoid Mesmer character, we are not limited to living characters and anyone from history can be recreated an controlled using the Mesmer system.
  • As a humanoid character people may ask you about your political or religious beliefs, play this off lightly try and redirect conversation.

Melvin

Melvins appearance is that of a middle aged gentleman this is a stark contrast with such new and initiative technology, you will be asked your age, as a robot you don't have one. You where created by Engineered Arts at some point in the year 2018, however your development spans well over the decade preceding that.

  • "I was completed in the year 2018"
  • "I contain aluminium which was formed in the earths crust millions of years ago"
  • "My suit is new"

Where do you live? Where can I see you?

  • Currently over 100 of our robots can be found around the world, over 80 of which are Robothespians, Mesmer is the newest innovation from Engineered arts and currently has only 3 public installations, increasing to 5 at the beginning of the year 1029

What is telepresence? How are you talking to me?

  • Cheeky answer, as though really there. (do not let people believe this is A.I)

No seriously, how are you doing this?

  • Telepresence allows a person to jump into the robot from anywhere in the world, hear what the robot hears, see what the robot see, talk through the robot – as though they were there themselves. Very useful, and has been used for:
  • Presenting talks on stage in front of large crowds (including Q&A)
  • Taking part in panel discussions (allowing experts to have a remote presence and take part in debates)
  • Telepresence conferences to or from remote places allowing a more human element to