VGo

Close-up of the VGo display screen shows a dark haired man in glasses.
IEEE Spectrum robotics editor Erico Guizzo drives a VGo. Photo: Randi Klett

VGo is a mobile robot that acts as your proxy in a distant location. You control the robot over the Net, and you can see, hear, talk, and move around to attend meetings or hang out at the water cooler.

Creator

Vecna Robotics

(Originally created by Vgo Communications)

Year
2011
Country
United States 🇺🇸
Categories
Features
A spinning view of a lightweight white telepresence robot with a thin hollow frame, and a display showing a waving man.
Interactive
See a 360° view of VGo. Photos: NYC Product Photography

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Overall Rating

Would you want this robot?

Appearance

Neutral

Did you know?

A Texas student, too sick to go to school because of a severe kidney disorder, has used a VGo to attend class.

A rear view of the VGo shows its simple frame.
VGo has microphones on its side and input ports on its back. Photo: Randi Klett
How VGo works. Video: VGo Communications

More videos

History

VGo Communications was founded in 2007 by Grinnell More, Tom Ryden, and Tim Root. More and Ryden had previously worked at iRobot, helping to develop military robots like the PackBot and Warrior. Root had been an executive at teleconferencing companies Polycom and PictureTel. The founders combined their experience in robotics and teleconferencing to create VGo. The first Vgo model was unveiled in 2010 and started shipping to customers the following year. The company has marketed its robot for business, education, and healthcare applications.

Two people smile at the telepresence robot which moves through the hallway of an office.
VGo meets some IEEE Spectrum coworkers. Photo: Randi Klett
A tight shot of the robots base with glowing lights.
Headlights help the robot navigate in the dark. Photo: Randi Klett

Specs

Overview

Able to drive through tight spaces and operate for a full 8-hour workday. Equipped with Wi-Fi and, optionally, a 4G cellular network module.

Status

Discontinued

Year

2011

Website
Width
35.6 cm
Height
121.9 cm
Length
40.6 cm
Weight
8.2 kg
Speed
4 km/h
Sensors

High-resolution color camera, accelerometer, four microphones, three infrared sensors, cliff-detecting sensor array.

Actuators

Three motors

Materials

ABS plastic body

Compute

Multiple Freescale ARM-based CPUs

Software

Linux OS and custom control software. Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X remote user client software.

Power

Sealed lead-acid battery, 6 to 12 hours of operation

Cost
$6,000 Wi-Fi only model | $6,900 Wi-Fi + 4G LTE model. Plus $1,200 per year service contract.