Ming: A Telepresence Device Revolutionizing Remote Interactions

Rumi Li's Award-Winning Design Transforms Work, Study, and Leisure

Designed by Rumi Li and brought to life by the Shanghai LKK Innovation Design Group, Ming is a general-purpose service robot that operates within a 50 square meter indoor environment. Its unique properties include remote control via the internet, video communication through iPhone or iPad, facial and voice recognition capabilities, automatic obstacle-avoidance, and a balance function.

What sets Ming apart from other telepresence devices is its ability to interact with the environment. When in automated mode, it can identify people in front of it and stop, awaiting user instruction. It also has an indoor positioning function, which, combined with the server's indoor location algorithm, allows for autonomous movement. This makes Ming not just a device, but a virtual presence that can navigate and interact with its surroundings.

Ming's sleek and minimal design is another of its standout features. Measuring between 1200-1500mm in height, 343mm in width, and 223mm in length, and weighing just 9kg, it is a compact and unobtrusive addition to any home or office. Its unique design and careful crafting result in a fine, streamlined silhouette that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional.

The development of Ming was not without its challenges. The design team had to overcome technical hurdles such as creating a self-regulating function for the robot, designing a single-wheel balance walk, and incorporating features such as a clock pendulum structure, gyroscope zero creep, landing gear lowering reset, infrared obstacle avoidance, and human body induction. The result of their hard work is a device that is not only innovative but also user-friendly and intuitive.

With Ming, Rumi Li and the Shanghai LKK Innovation Design Group have created a device that truly embodies the spirit of innovation and technological advancement. As the winner of the prestigious Golden A' Digital and Electronic Device Design Award in 2015, Ming is a testament to the transformative power of design and technology. As we move further into the digital age, devices like Ming will continue to shape our interactions and redefine our understanding of presence and connectivity.