When I first saw it, I wasn't sure what I was looking at. I thought somebody had attached an iPad to a pole and wheels. Then I saw my boss' face featured prominently on the iPad's screen, whizzing around the office.
He was telecommuting using Double, the new telepresence robot. Unlike dialing into a conference call over the phone or using a webcam for meetings, Double actually lets you have a physical presence in the office -- well, kind of. It can be quite startling at times when you turn to see a robot looking over your shoulder as you work.
For only $2,499, you too can micromanage from your bedroom using Double. The robot syncs with your iPad via Bluetooth, and anyone with the access to your account can log in and use the device over a Wi-Fi network. With such ease, don't be surprised when you show up to work one day and everyone is a little more robotic.