Telepresence

Telepresence is a set of technologies designed to make a distant location feel as if it were present to the user. By combining real-time audiovisual streams, control information, and sometimes tactile feedback, telepresence aims to create a convincing sense of presence and immersion rather than merely convey information. It is distinct from standard videoconferencing, which primarily focuses on exchanging audio and video between sites.

Typical telepresence systems integrate high-definition or ultra-high-definition video, multi-channel spatial audio, and low-latency networks to minimize perceptual delay. They may include telepresence robots or immersive rooms with large displays and calibrated camera and audio arrangements to align perspective and sound with the user’s experience. In some configurations, haptic feedback or other sensory data are added to enhance realism and enable exploration or manipulation of the distant environment.

The concept arose in the late twentieth century as organizations sought more effective remote collaboration. Telepresence technology advanced substantially in the 2000s with dedicated enterprise systems and later cloud-based solutions, emphasizing presence and natural communication rather than simple remote monitoring or control.

Applications span corporate meetings, healthcare for remote diagnosis and patient rounds, industrial inspection, and operations in hazardous or remote environments. Key considerations include latency, bandwidth, cost, interoperability, and privacy and security. The effectiveness of telepresence depends on achieving sufficient fidelity and low latency to sustain the sense of being physically present in the distant location.