Most of us remember telepresence robots from the finale episode of US’ hit sitcom, Modern Family – a recurring gag from the beloved TV show over the years.
Now, remote collaboration company Suitable Technologies brings this promise to life, via Beam.
Suitable Technologies was founded in 2011, and is known for its Beam lineup of products, the standard variant and Beam Pro. It combines traditional video conferencing with effortless mobility capabilities to recreate a natural remote presence experience.
The company has been repeatedly named as a global leader in the telepresence market, and some of its assets (including the Beam IP) were acquired by Denmark’s Blue Ocean Robotics in 2019. The buyers referred to this move as a “multi-year partnership,” indicating that Suitable Technologies as an entity isn’t going away anytime soon and there will be continued support for Beam.
Now, let’s dive into some of the product’s key capabilities.
What are the Key Features of Beam?
Beam is a smart (Wi-Fi connected) robot that lets users be present in a remote location through a live video feed. The device’s design allows free mobilities, so you can move around just as if you were there in person. Its key features include:
Connectivity technology
Beam is powered by a set of patented WiFi-LTE (4G) roaming algorithms. This allows the device to move between access points and network coverage areas without any dip in audio/video quality. It is compatible with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, though the latter is recommended for faster data transfer.
Security
Endpoint security is a major concern with any device sporting a live video feed, particularly if it is managed remotely. That’s why Beam uses proprietary endpoint encryption, with the option of sending data either through a public or a privately hosted relay. Within the Beam system, signals are transmitted via peer-to-peer connections that follow industry-standard AES-256 encryption and HMAC-SHA1 authentication.
User experience
The remote employee can access Beam’s telepresence capabilities using the Beam app, which is compatible with any device (mobile, desktop, and laptop) and any environment (Windows, OSX, Android, and iOS). The audio is also designed to provide an immersive audio experience (thanks to a custom-engineered acoustically enclosed speaker), with minimal distractions. Finally, Beam is equipped with two HDR cameras and 1x zoom for a smooth driving experience.
Form factor and other specs
Beam is 52.9 inches or approximately 4.4 feet tall – a measure that intends to work for both a standing and seated audience. The two variants of battery life offer 2 hours and 8 hours respectively. The video feed is relayed through a 10-inch screen, and there is a casing of reinforced polymer on the body for maximum durability.
What are the Benefits of Using Beam?
Apart from all of the features listed above, Beam also has an admin tool to manage all your Beam devices. The enterprise version moves at 2 miles per hour, and overall, Suitable Technologies have paid excellent attention to detail, designing Beam with a lot of thought and investments in proprietary tech.
How Much Will Beam Cost Me?
Beam Pro will set you back by $15,000, and there is an additional service subscription plan
