The Oculus Rift virtual reality (VR) headset is being used to help control a prototype law enforcement TeleBot being developed at the Florida International University. The project aims to aid disabled police officers by getting them back in action using motion sensors and the Rift to control the Telebot, which is named Hutch.

A video of the project can be seen above. The prototype weighs in at 75 pounds and stands at six feet tall. Users are able to move the Telebot’s fingers, shoulders and elbows whilst wearing a motion sensing suit. The Rift is used to live stream its vision, with head tracking technology implemented so that the TeleBot’s head moves with the users.

The project is being partially funded by a $20,000 donation from Jeremy Robins, a US Navy Lieutenant interested in technology for disabled officers and veterans. It’s been in development for over a year and a half but has some way to go before it can be considered for official use.

The next step is to fit Hutch with an outer shell and tune up the software involved. There currently isn’t any timeline on when the project might be completed. VRFocus will continue to follow initiatives that involve the Oculus Rift and report back on any new developments.