Our House: Living Long Distance with a Telepresence Robot

Many couples are in long distance relationships due to a variety of reasons ranging from work opportunities to family obligations. However, current computer-mediated communication tools are not designed to support the entire range of communication behaviors that long distance couples engage in during daily life. Our research explored how telepresence robots might fit into the array of tools that long distance couples use to communicate, given the factors of mobility and physicality that could support acts of interactivity and autonomy between partners. We found that telepresence robot communication facilitated interactions in five areas: participation in mundane everyday routines, feelings of sharing a home, connection with one’s partner’s family and friends, increased helpfulness, and the enjoyment of quiet companionship. However, telepresence robots also presented challenges related to privacy and asymmetry, as well as continued deficiencies in the level of interactivity. In response to these findings, we discuss design opportunities for telepresence robots.