telepresence robot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Business / Academic
Quick answer
What does “telepresence robot” mean?
A wheeled, mobile device with a screen and camera that allows a remote user to move around, see, hear, and interact with a distant location as if they were physically present there.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A wheeled, mobile device with a screen and camera that allows a remote user to move around, see, hear, and interact with a distant location as if they were physically present there.
A form of embodied telepresence technology, combining robotics and video conferencing to enable a user to project themselves into a remote environment, navigate, and communicate in real-time for purposes like remote work, healthcare, education, or social connection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Spelling conventions follow the respective norms (e.g., 'robotise' vs. 'robotize' in derivative forms, not applicable to the noun itself).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations. Possibly more frequent in US tech/business contexts initially, but now globally standard.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the concentration of tech companies, but the term is internationally established in relevant fields.
Grammar
How to Use “telepresence robot” in a Sentence
[User/Company] operates/uses/deploys a telepresence robot in/at [Location] for [Purpose].The telepresence robot allows [User] to [Verb] remotely.A telepresence robot was used to [Verb].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “telepresence robot” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The manager will join via the telepresence robot.
- We need to robotise telepresence for our satellite offices.
American English
- She'll telecommute using a telepresence robot.
- The company aims to leverage telepresence robotics.
adverb
British English
- [Not standard; the concept is not expressed adverbially.]
American English
- [Not standard; the concept is not expressed adverbially.]
adjective
British English
- The telepresence-robot solution proved cost-effective.
- We attended a telepresence robot demonstration.
American English
- The telepresence robot technology is evolving quickly.
- It was a telepresence-robot-enabled meeting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for enabling remote employees to 'attend' meetings, move around offices, and interact with colleagues as if on-site (e.g., 'We use telepresence robots for our distributed teams').
Academic
Studied in fields like human-computer interaction, robotics, and telemedicine regarding efficacy, user experience, and social dynamics (e.g., 'The study evaluated the anthropomorphism of telepresence robots in classroom settings').
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be mentioned when discussing futuristic work setups or visiting family remotely (e.g., 'My grandpa uses a sort of telepresence robot to 'visit' us from the care home').
Technical
Precise term in robotics and telecommunication engineering, specifying components like mobility base, pan-tilt-zoom camera, display, microphone array, and network connectivity.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “telepresence robot”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “telepresence robot”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “telepresence robot”
- Using 'telepresence robot' to refer to a stationary video conferencing system (e.g., a large screen). The key feature is mobility.
- Misspelling as 'teleprescence robot'.
- Using as a verb (e.g., 'I will telepresence robot into the meeting' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both are remotely operated, drones are typically airborne or aquatic vehicles, often for surveillance or delivery. Telepresence robots are ground-based, designed for interpersonal interaction and navigation in human environments like offices.
Yes, most consumer and enterprise models are designed to operate over standard Wi-Fi or cellular internet connections, though stable bandwidth is crucial for smooth video and control.
Agency and spatial presence. The user can independently choose where to go, whom to approach, and what to look at, fostering more natural and serendipitous interactions compared to a fixed camera view.
Yes. Applications are expanding into healthcare (remote patient rounds, reducing exposure), education (remote students 'attending' campus), museums (virtual tours), and even personal use for connecting with distant family.
A wheeled, mobile device with a screen and camera that allows a remote user to move around, see, hear, and interact with a distant location as if they were physically present there.
Telepresence robot is usually technical / business / academic in register.
Telepresence robot: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɛlɪˌprɛzəns ˈrəʊbɒt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɛləˌprɛzəns ˈroʊbɑːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not commonly idiomatic; a technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: TELEphone + PREsence + ROBOT. A robot that gives you a 'telephone-like' presence somewhere else.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A VEHICLE FOR SOCIAL PRESENCE. / REMOTE INTERACTION IS PHYSICAL NAVIGATION.
Practice
Quiz
What is the DEFINING feature of a telepresence robot, as opposed to standard video conferencing?