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Technology is not being invented just for the pleasure of nerds (or technophiles, sounds better). Sometimes, a very basic idea based on existing technologies might as well enrich human faculties or compensate for disabilities.

Meet PEEBLES, thanks to the Boston Globe (http://www.internetactu.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/pebbles.jpg).

PEEBLES is an advanced videoconference system designed for helping handicapped children unable to leave their homes to be “present” in a conventional classroom. Technically, PEBBLES is barely a robot equipped, obviously, with usual audio and video sensors, but also with a series of artificial members – such as a hand – remotely controlled by the disabled children. This allows a virtual “presence” within a real classroom (you can raise hands to ask a question, for instance).

 OK, this article has been published quite a while, and the technnological intensity of the device seems fairly low, (while the girl is definitely ugly): however I still found this information interesting.

As usual, let’s just speculate about possible extensions of such a system: are disabled children the only potential targets of PEEBLES ?

 Just imagine having an electronic “duplicate”  – well, not exactly a human-looking clone: there’s still a long way before today’s most realistic androids are confused with humans – stored in the premises of your office. If, being stucked powerless in your taxi because of the traffic, you miss a meeting, then just ask your colleagues to take your duplicate out of the locker, turn in your PEEBLES-compatible handheld device, and here we go for the meeting !

I already anticipate your legitimate objections.

1) There is a huge variety of human mimics, smiles, expressions, etc…and PEEBLES cannot replace them

2) Nobody would want to negotiate a deal with a machine

3) The taxi fares will surely soar.

Well, isn’t there a price to pay for anything ?

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