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Our world is going hybrid; in the workplace, events, and even in medical care. Zeppi, a hovering video-call balloon robot, is helping make it an immersive experience by allowing remote participants to be part of the physical space. Instead of joining a standard video call on a static receiving end and missing out on happenings onsite, like an informal (yet vital) networking break - you can now be a part of it remotely as if you were there in person. Zeppi flys through the physical space and allows you to engage on the move.
We sat down with Zeppi's Co-Founder and CEO, Eitan Lavie, to learn more about this innovative robot and the future of how we connect.
"Today we are all zooming, but the experience is not always sufficient. The diversity of use cases with remote participants that need to better engage - like a business event, a wedding, a doctor visit - all require a natural and dynamic communication. Zeppi can get us there."
SOSA: Hey Eitan, thanks for joining us today. A flying robot with live video conferencing can sound to many like an invention out of a sci-fi movie. How did you land on this idea and start turning it into reality?
EL: It all started during my family’s relocation. I was trying to get my kids to spend time with their grandma from Israel and was chasing them around with a tablet. It just didn't work. The whole experience was broken. I knew I had to solve being able to feel connected when remote.
SOSA: Two years into a pandemic, it’s hard to imagine the world before video conferencing became the norm. How does this cultural shift affect the way you design your product and future products?
EL: Today we are all zooming, but the experience is not always sufficient. The diversity of use cases with remote participants that need to better engage - like a business event, a wedding, a doctor visit - all require a natural and dynamic communication. Zeppi can get us there.
"Zeppi’s ability to hover is a game changer as it not only enables eye level communication, but also enables free navigation in the most available space around us - the air."
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SOSA: Speaking to someone at eye level is one of those things that is hard to achieve virtually. How did you tackle this with Zeppi?
EL: Zeppi’s ability to hover is a game changer as it not only enables eye level communication, as the remote user controls its positioning, but also enables free navigation in the most available space around us - the air.
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"We are about to launch our first pilots in hybrid corporate and private events, in parallel to upgrading Zeppi’s AI capabilities."
SOSA: In today's world, cat filters are making international headlines. So, humor us; what’s the funniest thing that has happened using Zeppi?
EL: In our first investor demo, a screw fell from Zeppi and landed loudly on the ground. It was hilarious…in retrospect.
SOSA: Can you share a sneak peek into what’s next for Zeppi amidst the hybrid model?
EL: We are about to launch our first pilots in hybrid corporate and private events, in parallel to upgrading Zeppi’s AI capabilities. Out of the many hybrid use cases Zeppi can bring value to, this is our focus right now.
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