Avatar Robot

A physical robot that acts as a remote proxy for a human operator, enabling them to interact with a distant environment through vision, audio, and often manipulation or movement. Avatar robots extend the capabilities of telepresence beyond a screen on a stand, allowing the remote operator to perform physical tasks such as gesturing, pointing, assisting a learner, or even handling objects. In accessibility contexts, avatar robots are studied as a way for people with mobility limitations, chronic illness, or geographic isolation (including older adults and disabled workers) to participate in onsite jobs, classrooms, and social settings without being physically present. The OriHime robot used by ALS and bedridden operators in Japan is a well-known example.