Pathfinder-a robot for experiencing and interacting in distant realities

This paper describes a new active communication approach based on the C-LAB Pathfinder. The Pathfinder is a mobile communication robot, the actions of which can be observed and controlled via the Internet. In contrast to usual communication devices that assume at least two communication partners or simply broadcast data like TV, we propose an active communication channel. This means that the Pathfinder will actively try to chat with people in a distant environment, even if no Internet user listens. Once an Internet user receives the audio/visual data transmitted by the Pathfinder on its tours, he may take over control of the communication and movement of the Pathfinder in a stepwise manner. This approach allows an Internet user to build up telecommunication to previously unknown people in a distant environment. By leaving the initiative to the Pathfinder potential restraints in communication with unknown people can be overcome. Thus, this approach transfers the characteristics of communication in a chat room already offered into the real world.