Telepresence - RoboThespian FAQ

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."
• "RoboThespian can 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)