FAQ

1. What operating systems and devices does the SelfieBot support?

Currently the SelfieBot supports Android, iOS, and Windows devices.

2. What powers the SelfieBot?

It uses a Li-ion 2600mAh battery and can work up to 8 hours and even charge your mobile device. The SelfieBot can also be powered from the mains via an adapter. The SelfieBot is equipped now with a special controller to check the current, which turns it off if needed. It is built in the battery block.

3. How much is a SelfieBot?

Around 200-250 USD. We also can make a SelfieBot after a customer’s design at the price of 500 USD.

4. Does the SelfieBot come with the white stand, as can be seen in this photo?

Actually, we are working at several designs. The device will come with a black, white and even transparent stands or without a stand in a hacker pack.

5. How do you see the SelfieBot helping people with disabilities?

In fact, this model is a part of another project of ours — telepresence robot. The SelfieBot helps people be always in touch with their caregivers and dear ones and vice versa. When you call the SelfieBot it connects you automatically with your interlocutor who does not need to do anything to answer your call. You can see and hear them at once. It is convenient, because a disabled person might not be always able to answer your call himself/herself. With this device they will never feel alone.

6. What part of the bot, exactly, rotates the mobile device?

The cradle (holder) has a mechanism, which rotates your mobile device. See the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmr-Qeb4wgk.

7. How do you control the SelfieBot? (Remote control, buttons on the device, or what?)

Either manually, using the transparent buttons on the screen of another mobile device (tablet or smartphone), or automatically, using the “follow me” function.

8. What do you mean by “transparent buttons on the screen of another mobile device»?

Transparent (half-transparent, to be more precise) buttons appear on the screen of your device when you run Skype or Hangouts; using them you can rotate the SelfieBot. You can you see it here: https://res.cloudinary.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/c_limit,w_620/v1439631307/xepbchybiytufmafp3gs.jpg

9. What exactly does the ‘follow me” function do?

The “follow me” function makes the SelfieBot turn after the user if he/she moves around while using the device.

10. Do you have to download the SelfieBot app to use the follow me/ facial recognition functions?

Yes, you have to download the SelfieBot app to the device you mount on the SelfieBot. Otherwise, how can the SelfieBot automatically log the facial recognition, if you use FaceTime or Skype? So you download the SelfieBot app to the device you mount on the SelfieBot, run it, and connect the SelfieBot via the Bluetooth protocol. Your mobile gadget sends signals to the SelfieBot, in which direction to rotate. And no special apps are needed for the devices of SelfieBot’s interlocutors if they do not intend to control the SelfieBot.

11. Is there a SelfieBot app currently available to users?

Yes. You can find it here: https://github.com/deadtr/Selfiebot

12. Do users have to download a separate app on another device to control the SelfieBot?

Not on another device but on the one they are going to use to connect to the SelfieBot to control it. If your caller wants to control your SelfieBot he/she needs to download our app; if he/she does not want to control the SelfieBot and is happy with the “follow me” function he/she will not need any additional apps.

13. How long does the robot’s battery last without charging?

Up to 8 hours. We plan to increase it up to 24.

14. What happens if two people (the caller and the receiver) have downloaded the SelfieBot app to control the bot? What if they give conflicting instructions?

A great point. You can select who controls the SelfieBot. There is a select mode.

15. What does «control» mean: switching on and off, rotating the device?

Biplane rotating of the device (right/left, up/down). It is not possible to remotely turn it on or control when it is off.

16. And, just to be clear, how many different ways are there to control the mobile device?

Two ways: manual and automatic. You can control the SelfieBot from any other device: PC, smartphone or tablet.

17. Apart from rotating the cradle so that the smartphone can follow the user around, does the SelfieBot have other functions?

Quite a lot.

• SelfieBot on/off;
• infrared lighning on/off;
• “follow me” function on/off.
• motion sensor on/off.

18. How can you decide whether you want the robot to be stationary (rooted), controlled by another device, or move automatically?

It depends on what you do. If you talk to someone in the kitchen then you’ll probably want the SelfieBot to follow your movements around automatically (“follow me” function). If you talk remotely to someone at a business meeting then you’ll probably prefer to move it yourself (manual mode).

19. How do you switch between making the SelfieBot stationary, controlled, or on «follow me» mode?

To turn on a Selfiebot you run an app on its local mobile device. After that you can choose the manual mode or the “follow me” function mode.

20. Can you switch off the «follow me» function?

Yes.

21. If so, how?

Use the OFF button on the checkbox.

22. Is there a password before you connect to a particular SelfieBot?

You have your Mac address and your personal SelfieBot name so if you use our server you know where to connect to.

23. Can people hack into others’ SelfieBots and control their directions?

We take security seriously, and make sure that SeflieBot is as secure as possible but we do not think that it is something people would like to hack. You have to hack someone’s smartphone first.

24. Regarding the face tracking function — will the robot be programmed to recognize one user’s face, or any? Will it be able to move when anyone in the frame is moving around (e.g. babies, people in your apartment when you are away, etc.)?

Once you started talking to someone it remembers you and then will track you. Actually, you can change the person to be followed if you wish ad hoc, but more likely you will have to re-start the “follow me” function.

25. Do you have to download the SelfieBot app to use the follow me/ facial recognition functions?

Yes. You do. Once the SelfieBot recognizes you it will track your movements… even if someone else is in the frame, it will still follow you around.

26. Can the SelfieBot «forget» what you look like and stop tracking you?

No, it cannot forget you during the call and will track you till the end of the call even if somebody else is nearby.

27. Once the SelfieBot’s app (the app, not actual robot, right?) recognizes your face, when will it forget your face? Only until the end of the conversation, or forever? Only the app you are using will remember your face, right? If a stranger downloads SelfieBot’s app, will they know your face?

Nope. It is for local application only. No face recognition or face database. After you stop the conversation and disconnect the “follow me” function. The “follow me” function works for one session. Only until the end of the conversation.

28. What happens in the «follow me» feature if there are multiple people in the frame? Who does the facial recognition feature track?

It will follow the leader, the one who is closer to the camera.

29. How big is the SelfieBot (measurements) and how heavy?

It’s about 7-8 inch high and 1.5-2 pounds weight.

30. Which parts of the SelfieBot are 3D-printed?

Everything what you see outside is fully 3D-printed!

31. You also mention that users use the app connect to particular SelfieBots via Bluetooth.

Exactly. To pair the SelfieBot with its mobile gadget you have to use Bluetooth connection since your WiFi can be busy with your internet connection

32. If I’m an interlocutor connecting to your SelfieBot remotely, how far does the bluetooth work?

Normally, if you are far away you connect using our server. Bluetooth connection is used to pair a SelfieBot with its mobile device (a cell phone or a tablet).

33. Would I be able to connect to a SelfieBot from any country?

By all means. You may connect to a SelfieBot from anywhere, provided the SelfieBot is on.