Rock Valley College Professor Chuck Konkol has announced that RVC will be the first community college to host “Double”, a robot powered by an iPad. “Double” was created by Double Robotics and uses a new technology called telepresence.

Telepresence technology provides a physical presence when someone can’t be there in-person. “Double” gets its commands relayed from an iPad app and can be remotely accessed and controlled via a web browser, iPhone, or iPad App. “Double” has two self-balancing wheels, a motorized telescopic arm that can go as high as 60 inches to communicate with those who are standing, and as low as 47 inches to communicate with those who may be sitting.

Students in Professor Konkol’s spring 2015 CIS280 iOS Mobile App Course will be programming apps for the “Double”.

One app development project of “Double” that can be used on campus will be the creation of an app for customized campus tours where guests connect remotely to “Double” and are given an automated campus tour.

In addition, guest lecturers, both local and around the world, can be given control of “Double” and interact with students, faculty and staff. Just imagine speakers from other countries visiting a classroom or meeting room and being able to interact with participants while they walk around or perform labs.

For more information about the robot, “Double”, email Konkol at c.konkol@rockvalleycollege.edu or go to doublerobotics.com.