The President Is Now Taking Robot Visitors

[KamaAina]

No, not sci-fi, access.

http://www.wired.com/2015/07/obama-telepresence-robot/

President Obama got a visit yesterday from a robot—and no, that’s not a sick burn on any members of Congress.

During a White House celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act this week, the President met with Alice Wong, founder of the Disability Visibility Project, using a telepresence robot. Through the Project, Wong has partnered with StoryCorps to record interviews with disabled Americans in the run-up to the ADA’s anniversary. According to Wong’s blog, it was the first time a telepresence robot has made its way into the White House. We doubt it’ll be the last.

And here’s the view from Wong’s side.

Like the President, we at WIRED wholeheartedly embrace robot visitors. Here’s our Boston-based editor Emily Dreyfuss roaming around our San Francisco office as her alter-ego, Embot.

Disclaimer: Alice is an acquaintance! Her disability prevents her from traveling, so somehow or other this got cooked up.

[packman]

1. Mobile Virtual Presence Device