RP-VITA is the first autonomous navigation remote presence robot to receive FDA clearance.

ENGADGET: FDA approves iRobot RP-VITA telepresence robot for use in hospitals

Researchers have tackled the problem by linking the robot to a navigation system using ultrasound.

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With remarkable accuracy, the pilots on the James Cook used an acoustic navigation system to "fly" the robot over the rock three miles (4.8km) down towards the oases of life thriving around the vents.

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The robot combines the latest in autonomous navigation and mobility technologies developed by iRobot with state-of-the-art telemedicine and electronic health record integration developed by InTouch Health.

ENGADGET: FDA approves iRobot RP-VITA telepresence robot for use in hospitals

Ava, an app ready robot, uses tablet-based control and autonomous navigation to maneuver in complex real world environments.

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He added that the robot's ability to follow a person made it "an interesting navigation machine which might end up useful in other domain, such as search and rescue".

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