A company named HeadThere Inc. has announced a new communication tool called the Giraffe Video Conferencing Robot.
Using the Giraffe, a distant team member can interact and socialize with peers at their company's headquarters without ever stepping on a plane. An engineer can see and speak with anyone on the factory floor, even from a different country. These capabilities decrease travel expenses while fostering collaboration.
The Giraffe is a mobile robot that can be moved around its location by remote control using the Internet. The Giraffe allows a user to hear, see, and speak at a far away location, just like traditional video conferencing. This fusion of robotics and video conferencing allows a user to feel like they are at the robot's location. Because people near the robot can see and hear the user, they interact with him as if he were truly present. In a sense, the robot acts as a stand-in for the user.
It sounds like an interesting device until you read this post from CNET's Crave about how it could be used by a suspicious boss to spy on you at your cubicle or in the break room.
HeadThere even has some text on its website about how bosses can use it.
Do you manage teams at multiple geographic locations? Now you can "manage-by-walking-around" even if you're not there. Keep teams focused on their goals and build camaraderie using impromptu water-cooler talks and casual chats, just like if you were there. If you manage a factory floor or lab space, you can inspect progress from afar without relying on periodic status meetings.
See how it says bosses can "inspect progress from afar." How long until a gadget like the Giraffe Video Conferencing Robot is required for telecommuting workers? Hopefully never. Telecommuting would not be much fun if you boss was at home with you. The good news is that if your manager or boss practices Giraffequette then none of this should be a problem.
A company named 
