Although Mars can be explored by unmanned craft, there is only so much that can be achieved with robot eyes and remote control.

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The RP-VITA, a 5-foot remote-presence robot that doctors control with an iPad from miles away, is already deploying to six hospitals in the U.S. and one in Mexico in partnership with telemedicine company InTouch Health.

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The small robot can even turn appliances on and off via remote control, switching on the dishwasher or the VCR.

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Daniel Sandberg is tweaking the remote control system of a 6-foot-tall robot as it wanders through the halls, broadcasting what it sees to a laptop.

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The project integrates a mobile assistive robot (Hector) that can work collaboratively with a smart home and remote control center to better support older people living at home.

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