Forget telepresence robots on wheels, Google wants telepresence drones

Drones can do one thing existing telepresence robots can't: fly up and down stairs.

This is one reason why Google thinks telepresence drones are a good idea, according to a U.S. patent discovered by Recode.

The patent, filed in August 2016 but made public on Thursday, describes a lightweight drone that could be used by remote workers to videoconference with colleagues indoors.

The patent claims the drone system could allow for a remote users to "feel as if they are present, at the same location as that of the second users."

A projection system on the drone could also let remote users project images and videos onto walls and table-top surfaces for their colleagues to see, further creating the illusion of in-person collaboration. Existing telepresence robots (many of which are just an iPad on wheels) don't allow for such collaborative two-way communication.

Moreover, a telepresence drone would also let its remote controller view the meeting from different angles, possibly piloting it directly in front of a specific colleague or above the table. Not to mention, a drone would be easier to maneuver around a room than a robot on wheels.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Other disses aimed at grounded telepresence robots include their slowness, power inefficiencies and inability to travel between floors without human assistance.

After combing through the patent, we still have a few burning questions. Like, how quiet would this drone be? Most drones tend to be loud with their blades whirring around furiously; Google would need to solve the noise problem if it ever plans to get telepresence drone(s) in meetings.

Also, battery life. Even the best consumer drones only last about 20 minutes on a single charge, so unless these telepresence drones are only designed for super short meetings to say hi and bye, they're unlikely to be useful.