ARM-COMS: ARm-supported eMbodied communication monitor system

Abstract

Remote communication systems are getting popular these days, which makes it possible to enjoy audio/video communication over the network in high quality. However, remote communication using these systems is still not identical to face-to-face meeting due to several reasons which are still open issues. This study focuses on two of the issues. One is lack of tele-presence and the other one is lack of connection in communication. In order to tackle these issues, this study proposes an idea of connecting remote individuals through augmented tele-presence systems called ARM-COMS: ARm-supported eMbodied COmmunication Monitor System. ARM-COMS is composed of a desktop robotic arm and a tablet PC which is attached to it. The tablet PC presents audio/video images of a remote person just as typical video conference. However, ARM-COMS controls the physical movement of the tablet PC during the video conference to be consistent with physical motion of the remote participant as if the remote person were there and behaved in a face-to-face conversation. ARM-COMS also considers the meaningful physical position in space to show the connection with other person or topics. The tablet PC approaches to the speaking person as if embodied communication occurs. This paper shows the idea of ARM-COMS and presents some of the on-going work of the study to show the feasibility of the idea. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.