9. The VGo Robotic Telepresence Device (VGo Communications, Inc.)
The VGo makes this list not because of futuristic looks or advances in technology, but for the ingenuity it offers. When the VGo is placed in a classroom, a lecture hall or anywhere for that matter, a user can be given complete control by use of a laptop over a wifi connection. The technology within this robot allows not only the ability to speak, see and hear, but take control of it's movement too. This makes it a much easier process than a simple Skype call, where a second person would be required to face a laptop toward the action. A remote user would simply turn the robot in any direction they wish, allowing full interaction. It really does allow you to be in two places at the same time. The user can be in the next room, the next city or even the next country, making this piece of techonology vital for many different groups of people. It means that a disabled child can attend a class from their living room or a family member can see and speak to another from a continent away, with some hospitals in the US are implementing a service for patients to do just that. There is also an application being developed that will provide real-time language translation. The fact that the VGo is relatively cheap to buy at $6000 also makes it accessible and affordable for schools and hospitals, also securing the VGo as a worthy entry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7JMVEcqieo
KJ Lewis is 35 years old, was able to rear three small children into three slightly bigger children and has a relatively untested and unfounded passion for writing.
You can find him at Twitter: @onefistintheair or Facebook: KJ Lewis
