"The VGo lets you be in two places at once! See, hear, and GO where YOU want!"
Save money now by employing a VGo to eliminate travel and related expenses and hassles, all while still keeping a strong physical presence. The VGo is built for corporate and medical environments and it’s the next best thing to being there in person, if not better…
The VGo telepresence robot, produced by VGo Communications, is an elegant looking robot with far more than simply the basic features that are common amongst telepresence robots. The VGo robot features a 6-inch LCD screen. It can easily drive over rugs, thresholds, and other changes in flooring, and even has lights to help with visibility and attracting attention. In classroom settings students have used this to replicate raising their hand to get the teacher’s attention.
In corporate settings they can work with you to help ensure you stay connected between WiFi access points or if you’re using the VGo robot at a convention, or similar, where there may be hundreds of robots and thousands of people. To achieve this you would need to attach a MiFi device using the USB port at the back of the VGo and use a cellular plan. For gauging what plan you would need; the VGo uses about 500mb per hour in-call.
The VGo includes other unique features such as a high-resolution camera, zoom features, text-to-voice, and a tiltable head. An automatic docking feature is available when the VGo robot is within 10 meters (about 11 yards) and can see the charger, that point a notification appears which you can press to send the VGo to charge. Additionally, if the VGo is bumped from the charger, it will automatically re-connect. A newer feature, less common to telepresence robots, is the ability for people to call remote users from the robot (most robots allow for the remote user, exclusively, to initiate the call). To achieve this, however, the remote user will need to be using the Windows or Mac version of the VGo application.
What do you need to drive the VGo?
VGo encourages PC use, but the VGo robot can be controlled via tablet, too. The VGo can be driven from a Windows or Mac PC, iPhone or iPad, or Windows tablets. Recommended tablets include the Apple iPad or iPad Mini with a front-facing camera (2nd generation or later), and the iPhone 5 S or better, the Samsung Series 7 and the Microsoft Surface Pro (but the Surface RT will not work) and tablets with Intel i5 or i7 chips. You can download the VGo driving app for both Windows or Mac on VGo’s website while you can download the app for iPad and iPhone in the Apple Store. VGo plans to add functionality for Android devices. Broadband internet connection speeds of 1.5MBps upload are recommended while 768KBps is the minimum requirement.
For VGo users in the medical field?
The aforementioned high-resolution camera allows doctors to see such things as a patient’s pupil reaction. The VGo can also connect to, and display, results of CT scans and electronic medical records. Hospitals and doctors are using the VGo to visit rural hospitals, senior care facilities, in-home post-operative care patients, and to conduct rounds at rural locations from their own homes and offices. Medical schools and hospitals have been able to involve top surgeons and specialists in medical training thanks to the telepresence capabilities of the VGo.
Hospitals and clinics also use the VGo to provide interpreter services for a fraction of the cost of having a translator in person, for long-stay pediatrics, and for patient visits from friends and family, allowing greater customer satisfaction, which often propagates an improved hospital image. Another benefit provided by the VGo is the ability to obtain a quick second opinion. For example, if there is an unexpected development with a patient’s wound, on-site medical staff can quickly have a second specialist from another location “present” to provide their own advice. Having a specialist on-call and able to log-in to a VGo from his home, rather than commuting to a particular hospital or clinic, could save millions of brain cells that would potentially be lost, as in the case of stroke victims, and could also increase the probability of success in other life or death scenarios. All of these applications help people in the medical industry increase efficiency and quality of care, and help them decrease expenses incurred by travel and time.
For VGo users in Business, Education, or other fields?
The LED lights mounted on the camera help users navigate dark hallways and improves the detail of snap-shot photos. Sick or otherwise disabled students are able to use these lights as a way to signal the attention of their teachers and professors; resembling children holding up their hands as if they were present in the classroom. The tilt feature allows the user to look up and down as they wish in order to see more than a normal video conference would allow.
At about four feet tall (with an optional one foot extension), the VGo has a height which is comfortable to interact with whether you are sitting down or standing up. Another convenient feature is the ability of the VGo to be auto-activated either immediately or on a delay, where the user is announced at the robot’s location and can begin driving the robot after 15 seconds. Their robot can also be set to manual activation, where a button on the screen must be pressed before the user can begin remote operation.
The VGo app allows users to login to an available robot by clicking on the location where they wish to be. Communication is handled through VGoNet, which handles the complexities of real time Audio/Visual communication with the ongoing robotic controls. Additionally, the VGo app allows other VGo users to communicate via Instant Messaging, voice, or video chats on PCs. Currently, the VGo robot can not be controlled using smartphones but VGo Communications is working to make this possible.
The VGo robot, whether for business, telemedicine, or manufacturing, allows you to virtually be in two places at once and engage more fully in communication with employees, patients, or coworkers. The ability to control the robot commands more attention and provides you with greater control of what is seen and heard.
There is a required a monthly service plan for the VGo, which provides unlimited technical support, and access to all software updates. The service plan covers cloud-based features such as administrative tools, where administrators can view all users and control such things as who has access to which telepresence robot. The service plan also includes helpdesk support and performance tools.
If you purchase their ARS (Advanced Replacement Service) for an additional fee, they’ll provide immediate shipping of broken parts/units, including batteries, in the event it is necessary.
Hoping to speak at a conference without needing to travel there?
The VGo is a great option for avoiding travelling time and associated expenses. Have a VGo shipped to the remote location (or perhaps the conference center / business / university, already has their own), and deliver your speech or lecture from the comfort of your home or local office.
The VGo can interface with an external microphone system. Simply plug a wireless microphone into the “Audio Out” space in the back of the VGo and you will have the same vocal presence as in person. For larger audiences, the location hosting the VGo may wish to consider using a camera to zoom in on the VGo’s screen and broadcasting it on a wall (just as they would do if a live person were presenting).
Warranty: Full hardware warranty. Automatic software updates.
Height: 4′ (121.92 cm) Optional Extension to 5′
Auto-Answer: Yes
Top Speed: 3 feet per second
Tablet Auto-Charged: Yes. Monitor included.
Brand: VGo Communications
Auto-Docking: Yes
Network Connectivity: WiFi
Type: Telepresence
Crash Avoidance: Yes, location notification of obstacles.
Docking Station: Yes.
Unique Features: Zoom, Snapshots, Tilt-able Head, Headlights, Flexible call answering options
Bandwidth Required: 1 MB (up/down), but can work with less.
Run Time: 6 hours continual operation (Or optional 12-hour battery)
Charge Time: 8 hours
Video Resolution: 320 x 240. 6″ screen.
Included in each VGo E-1000 Order:
*The VGo E-1000 includes only WiFi connectivity, and does not include a remote, charging dock, or base headlights as the V-1000 does (however, it does have the main headlights).
Subscription Includes:
Optional:
VGo Weight: Approximately 19 lbs. (About 23 lbs. with the extended battery, and 26 lbs. with the height extension and extended battery are used).
VGo Footprint: 13″ wide x 15″ deep.
The VGo robot can be operated by a remote user by using the VGo Communications robot application via an iPad or Windows or Mac PC.
While the VGo has a basic height of 4 feet, an extension which increases the height to 5 feet may be purchased.
The VGo robot allows users to enter text which will be spoken by the robot.
Zoom feature: The video feed from the VGo robot can be magnified up to 5x.
VGo Communications offers a live help desk weekdays from 9-5pm Eastern Standard Time.
Shipping box dimensions: 42 x 16 x 16″ with a weight of 35 lbs.
Multi-person View: No. Only one person may see the view from the VGo robot.
The VGo telepresence robot draws about 1.2 amps when connected to 100-240 Volt AC power.
Up to 20 people may download the VGo app and drive it (one person at a time).
Recommended tablets include the Samsung Series 7 and Microsoft Surface Pro (the Surface RT will not run the VGo App).
You can download the VGo App for iPad from the Apple App Store.
You must be logged in to post a review.
anonymous –
My experience with VGo was pretty great – it’s cheaper than most of the other options on the market, it’s reliable and looks nice. In order to control the VGo, you need to download the VGo app. It runs on most operational systems (Windows, Mac and iOS) and installing it is really easy, especially if you follow the instructions. The variety of movement VGo allows you is simply amazing. You can move around using the arrow keys, as well as the mouse. You can tilt the “head” with both the mouse wheel and the keyboard, removing the need of moving back, in order to see what’s right in front of the robot. The pivoting option allows you to turn sideways and look at the person speaking, which can be a very useful in a discussion.
Another amazing option is the PCEye Go, which allows you to control the VGo only with eyes. You can move relatively fast – if, for example, the robot is in a straight long hall, you enter turbo mode, reaching the full speed of 2 mph. The only weakness of VGo is that the depth perception isn’t that great. However, since the robot is very light (16 to 23 pounds), even if you manage to get it stuck, someone could easily help you out. Thanks to the multiple sensors, it’s impossible to fall down stairs and the design of the body protects it from getting damaged, if you hit a wall.
VGo has some pretty neat features – you can use the text to voice option and increase the volume if the person you’re talking to can’t hear you. You can zoom in and take snapshots – the quality is amazing, thanks to the high-resolution camera and the LED lights. The battery life of VGo is great – the standard pack can last for about 6 hours, but you could get the 12 hour pack, if you need more time. Charging the robot is easy, as when you get close enough (10 ft), you can activate the auto dock option, so there will be no awkward and boring maneuvering!
If you’re a doctor or a nurse, I highly recommend the VGo! The high-resolution camera will allow you to examine and communicte with patiens in distant wings of the hospital, saving you the trip there. However, one of the most popular uses of this robot seems to be in the area of education, as it allows home or hospital-bound children experience school and saves their parents a ton of money on private tutors.
Overall, test driving this robot was great – although setting up the demo took some time (hence the 4 stars for Customer Service), the team was extremely helpful and nice. If you’re looking for a reliable, safe and relatively cheap telepresence robot, the VGo is certainly an option you should consider!
anonymous –
The VGo offers its users unusually good sound, video, driving options, and battery life for its price point, and is highly customizable whether for individual or administrative use. Set up to run on Macs, PCs, and iPads, the VGo’s default interface is somewhat busy (less so on the iPad), but can be tweaked to hide less-used buttons/options. At any rate, all buttons are labeled with hover messages, so it’s easy to quickly learn the layout. Computer-based users may drive the VGo via their mouse (hold and left-click to move, scroll wheel to tilt camera) or keyboard (arrow keys). A rounded arc appears in the view window when you move, enabling you to easily alter your speed, direction, and turn increments. The interface also includes a circular set of buttons to enable incremental pivoting. The camera, which folds straight down into the head when not in use, may be set to auto-tilt while driving (alternating between its base and forward), can be used to take snapshots at a higher resolution than the video stream (the video quality is not as high in order to avoid hogging bandwidth), and may zoom up to 5x with no loss of resolution. The VGo includes two speakers which provide a rich, strong sound ensuring that users’ conversations flows effortlessly.
Based upon customer feedback, the VGo’s motor has been updated to allow a faster upper threshold of speed than any of the other robots I’ve driven, which would be particularly welcome in large work spaces requiring the robot to cover more ground. The speed ranges from 1-5, plus T for Turbo and R for Reverse (very slow), and is easy to adjust on the fly. If you’re uneasy about your driving ability, fear not: there are proximity sensors that will slow the robot down if they detect an obstacle. Additionally, sensors at the base of the unit are set to auto-stop before stairs, though some users may elect to deactivate this option if their location’s floor features shiny black tile, which sometimes fools the sensors. Customers whose facilities use more than one VGo can make use of the extensive administrative console to easily regulate use of their robots, indicating who may use which robot and when. To ensure data security, all transmitted information is encrypted; additionally, the VGo supports most WiFi and organizational security protocols.
Thanks to the VGo’s versatility and well-conceived design, numerous students, physicians, and businesses are putting it to good use. Students of all ages use the VGo to sit in on classes, a boon for those with either chronic health issues or severe physical limitations. In the case of particularly young students, the teachers may use a special remote to help the students position the robot. On the business front, the VGo’s designers particularly wanted to enable companies to provide remote expert consultation at each company location. As one example, Audi now uses VGo robots (customized with special cameras for looking inside the engine) to allow their top automotive experts to provide timely input to mechanics at Audi dealer service departments around the world. In the health care sector, hospitals and physicians use the VGo to more efficiently follow up with remote patients, to monitor facilities and resting patients, and – similar to VGo’s corporate clients – to enable consultation with experts elsewhere.
The VGo was deliberately designed to appear non-threatening, with a curved frame, short stature, small screen size, and very light (less than 20 pounds) build. Ned Semonite, VGo’s Vice President of Products who guided me on my test drive, said that one of VGo’s guiding design principles was, “Never be taller than who you’re communicating with, whether they’re standing, sitting at a table, or reclining in a hospital bed.” Some of the VGo’s other features are clearly designed to put users at ease:
–a user can mute his/her own microphone and/or camera
–a user may allow or decline a call following an advance announcement (which runs for fifteen seconds to allow the user time to make final preparations for the call)
–the small screen size only displays the head of the caller
–a user can opt to use text-to-speech (which is spoken in the VGo’s mild female-sounding voice), which is very useful for the voice-impaired as well as for those who prefer an extra layer of privacy
While we’ve looked at a number of the VGo’s many features, the above list is by no means exhaustive. Those in the market for adaptable and affordable telepresence robots will definitely want to take the VGo for a test drive and experience its versatility first-hand. I was impressed with my own experience with the robot (along with the friendly VGo personnel) and would not be surprised to see VGo at the forefront of the telepresence robot industry in the years to come.