I have been interested in having a mobile telepresence robot at home but I can't imagine it would be able to adequately navigate around furniture, pets, people, etc. So instead I decided to build an overhead, track-mounted robot, the ERAD (elevated robotic assistive device). There's much less congestion on the ceiling....
That’s a great idea. Do you plan on publishing a video of it in action?
Thanks! Yes, as soon as we can get the new processor and other boards mounted inside the car (to make it look somewhat tidy) we’ll make some videos and post here
Cool! I look forward to that.
I think that a permanent installation of a telepresence robot is way more efficient than mobile one.
One of the complaint I often hear is that this kind of robot’s battery life isn’t long enough. Is yours powered by a wall adapter?
We are using a 5 AH, 7.4V rechargeable LiPo battery for now and we’ll see how long that lasts. There is a connector at the end of the track where it goes to recharge and we will probably need to size the battery to give it a 20 hr active and 4 hr charging operating mode. The motor doesn’t draw much power unless you’re constantly moving the car. It also can power the tablet, which may need it, if the screen is to be used a lot of the time.
The design looks quite effective actually. Wonder if there’s an aluminum cross section which can save on cost. Might also want to consider a wired or wireless charging station at one end of the track which can charge both the drive motor and the phone. Looking forward to seeing the project progress.
Our first unit was made from an aluminum channel but I lost access to a CNC machine and switched to printing (which I think is easiest for prototyping). We have a connector for a wired charger at the track end which charges both the unit’s battery as well as the smart device’s
Nice innovative idea! What functionalities are you planning to implement in the robot?
I look forward to seeing the development of the project.
We have a couple of apps we’re working on (or will be):
A program using facial recognition for following the user as they move around so they have a smart device closeby
The ability to remotely control the car and video/audio
A Skype-type of program which uses the recognition tracking or remote control to move the car and pan/swivel the screen (pretty much the standard telepresence stuff)
External camera (door alarm) link to the unit so it will notify you of someone at the door
A security/safety mode for motion, smoke, CO, etc. detection. It could routinely prowl the track.
…thinking about an interactive laser-tag like program where two players interact remotely (each with their own track and car) and play laser tag, moving your gun controls the camera on your opponents side and you try to target them on the screen…
Nice! The applications are endless really. I would definitely try your virtual laser tag 
Good luck in your project 
Very interesting and lots of possibilities there. I hope you post more.
