We continue our Building the Future series on robotics with a look into the telepresence robotics industry.  According to a June report from Research and Markets, the global telepresence robot market surpassed an estimated value of $248 million U.S. dollars at the end of 2021, and may reach a projected worth of $587.5 million by 2027.

Like other sectors of the global robotics industry, the market for telepresence robots is expanding at an annual rate in excess of 15 percent, growth which is at least partially influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the healthcare industry and in-person work.

Telepresence Robots Overview

‍Most telepresence robots are remote-controlled wheeled vehicles, typically with a large stand, a camera, a microphone, and a display that allows users to communicate with other people from an external location. Because most of these robots are designed as a substitute for real-world interactions, users can connect with their surroundings as if they were there in-person, and talking, listening and moving the robot at their own discretion.

A healthy number of companies with varying levels of experience occupy the telepresence robotics space, including established firms like iRobot, and others such as InTouch Health, Double Robotics, Amy Robotics, OhmniLabs and more.

Telepresence Robots in Detail

‍Much of the force currently driving the telepresence robot market originates from the healthcare industry, where remote technologies can be incredibly valuable for interacting with patients that need fast qualitative evaluations or that are highly contagious. Telepresence robots have also taken off in education and for remote work in other industries. This is primarily due to the changing workforce expectations and needs, especially within the United States. As COVID accelerated the need for remote work, so has it made technologies that enable working from home more viable.

Whereas it would have been impossible before, teachers can now interact with students and employees can attend company meetings, even when a variety of circumstances prevent them from contributing in-person.

These are just some of the ever-evolving applications for telepresence robots. A more complete list of industries using telepresence robots include:

• Education
• Healthcare
• Tourism
• Observation and security

We can not forget also the variety of domestic uses for telepresence robots. Whether they be conventional telepresence designs or more minimalist offerings such as Meta’s Portal Go, these technologies can be incredibly helpful for remotely interacting with relatives and friends.

The Dura Digital Takeaway

‍Video-calling technology has been around for years, but integrating this technology into a mobile robotics platform that can interact with its surroundings offers some serious advantages for a workforce which is trending further and further towards remote work.

For these reasons the telepresence robotics market appears primed for a great deal of expansion. A promising future lies ahead for companies already invested in telepresence, and for those looking to expand into the market. At Dura Digital we continually invest in learning about new technologies so that we can provide you, our customers, broad scale insights and awareness that help you transform your business.  Contact us for more details on how we can help you advance in your digital transformation journey.