Limits and benefits of using telepresence robots for educational purposes

The continuing spread of the COVID19 virus shows that adequate preparation for telepresence scenarios such as teleteaching is elementary for structured teaching in secondary education. There should be no negative impact on teaching quality, either in times of general crisis or simply as a measure to ensure institutional stability and individual flexibility in an increasingly digital world. State-of-the-art telepresence approaches include the possibility to use telerobotic systems or telepresence robots (TR). These systems are configured with an immersive interface such that users feel present in a remote environment, projecting their presence through the remote robot. While many professional tasks can be shifted away from the workplace rather easily, social aspects gain particular significance in the context of learning and education. By enabling physical and spatial interaction far beyond the possibilities of mere video conferencing, the high degree of social presence provided by TR can assist better learning experiences. TR can compensate for the lack of mobility or restricted travel options of students, educators or staff. TR can foster language learning and intercultural exchange, and TR can prepare students for the workspaces of tomorrow.