We present a novel seated feet controller for handling 3-DoF aimed to control locomotion for telepresence robotics and virtual reality environments. Tilting the feet on two axes yields in forward, backward and sideways motion. In addition, a separate rotary joint allows for rotation around the vertical axis. Attached springs on all joints self-center the controller. The HTC Vive tracker is used to translate the trackers' orientation into locomotion commands. The proposed self-centering feet controller was used successfully for the ANA Avatar XPRIZE competition, where a naive operator traversed the robot through a longer distance, surpassing obstacles while solving various interaction and manipulation tasks in between. We publicly provide the models of the mostly 3D-printed feet controller for reproduction.

Abstract-- Robotic avatar systems promise to bridge distances and reduce the need for travel. We present the updated NimbRo avatar system, winner of the $5M grand prize at the international ANA Avatar XPRIZE competition, which required participants to build intuitive and immersive robotic telepresence systems that could be operated by briefly trained operators. Video and audio data are compressed using low-latency HEVC and Opus codecs. We propose a new locomotion control device with tunable resistance force. To increase flexibility, the robot's upper-body height can be adjusted by the operator. Top left: Operator judge controlling the avatar. Bottom left: VR view (cropped). Reducing the need In this paper, we present and discuss the updates and to travel is thus beneficial for many reasons. While voice extensions of the NimbRo avatar system (Figure 1) that we calls and video conferencing help, they cannot replace inperson made for our highly successful participation in the ANA meetings entirely due to lack of immersion and Avatar XPRIZE Finals in November 2022, where our team social interaction.

Realistic avatars could soon allow us to remotely see, hear, touch and interact with faraway locations. A new global competition is charging scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators with the task of creating a real-life robotic avatar by 2021. Launched by the XPrize Foundation, a non-profit organization that encourages technological innovation, the competition promises to award $10 million to the first team that can make the technology a reality in just four years. A new XPrize competition enlists teams around the world to create the first real-life robotic avatar by 2021. The winning team is eligible to win a prize worth $10 million.

The original 1960s Star Trek series took place in a universe of the future with personal communicators, holograms, and the technology to send humans beyond our solar system. In many ways that future is here. We have smartphones, virtual reality, space travel -- and now the tricorder. In the show, the tricorder was a handheld medical device that could scan a patient, read his or her vital signs, and diagnose problems in minutes. A working prototype invented by a Philadelphia-based emergency room physician Basil Harris may not look like the ones used by Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy and Commander Beverly Crusher throughout the sci-fi series, but it's advanced enough to offer a medical diagnosis in minutes and anyone can use it.