telepresence room

A telepresence room is a conference space dedicated to high-end videoconferencing. The goal of telepresence technology is to replicate face-to-face communication virtually, thereby eliminating the cost and time of long distance travel.

Telepresence rooms improve on the traditional videoconferencing experience by using multiple high definition cameras with eye-tracking features and directional microphones. Some systems allow participants to share documents. Telepresence room technology is generally quite expensive and requires a large amount of dedicated bandwidth. 

Teliris, Tandberg, Nortel, HP, Polycom and Cisco have all developed telepresence technology. In 2008, HP announced a partnership with Marriott to install telepresence rooms in selected hotels. Last year Cisco announced a similar partnership with Regus business centers.

In October 2008, Cisco demonstrated the first telepresence videoconferencing rooms for public use. The rooms hold up to 18 people and are available in a number of locations around the world, at rates between $299 and $899 (USD) per hour.

Learn More About IT

HumanProductivityLab.com tracks telepresence news, providers and hardware.

Mitch Wagner reported on telepresence basics for Information Week.

SearchUnifiedCommunications.com reports that the telepresence industry should pass the $1 billion mark by 2013.

Computerworld reported on Cisco's demonstration of public rooms for telepresence.