Ithaca College

Digital Instruction and Information Services (DIIS) is offering an opportunity for members of the IC community to learn more about and interact with the Beam Pro telepresence robot by Suitable Technologies.  In addition to presenting at Ed Tech Day on March 24th, the company is generously offering additional sessions on Wednesday, March 23 and will allow the device to remain on campus the following week for hands on exploration in selected IC departments or schools.

Wednesday, March 23rd, Vendor Demonstrations in CET (Job 102)

Vendor representative Christa Cliver will be in CET from about 9 am – 3 pm  that day (Less lunch hour).There will be 2 scheduled demonstrations with opportunities to “drive” the robot.  

• 11:00-11:50 am
• 2:00 – 2:50 pm

Thursday, March 24  *Ed Tech Day* in Emerson Suites

12:10- 12:50 Featured Session -Independence through Robotic Technology

Henry suffered a tragic stroke-like episode when he was 40 years old, rendering him speechless (mute) and quadriplegic. Through robotic technology, Henry continues to find ways to explore and interact with the world. Henry will share his personal experiences with a variety of technological tools including remote tours of museums and cultural sites around the world and web controlled assistive devices powered by Raspberry Pi computers. Henry will join the Ithaca College Ed Tech Day on Suitable Technologies’ BeamPro telepresence device from his home in Palo Alto California. Presented by Suitable Technologies. Location: Klingenstein Lounge (main floor). 

9:00 am – 11:30 am  and 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm  Christa from Suitable Tech will have a “Table” in the Technology Showcase of Ed Tech Day.

Week of March 28 – April 1

The Beam Pro will remain on campus and be available for departments to have it for a ½ or whole day to allow to explore its use in their disciplines.   We are fairly flexible depending on who wants it and when.  Please talk to your department about what times work for them.   It can be “driven” with a simple download of software and a webcam.
Please contact Marilyn (mdispensa@ithaca.edu)if you would like your dept to have time with the device.

More about the Beam Pro

This device has microphones, speakers, and two cameras and is controlled remotely with a simple application on a computer with microphone and webcam.  Among the many possibilities are:

• More realistic "presence" at meetings than with simple webcam/screen.
• Allows mobility impaired individuals to move within a space and interact with people.
• Music lessons, coaching, or choreography from a distance.
• Allows individual to tour a space remotely and interact with people.

 Links

• Henry Evans "Walks again" using Smart Presence Beam Pro (Video)

• Suitabletech.com/beam (Vendor web site)

• Global Teamwork at Microsoft Research | BeamPro (Video)