July 05, 2006
Vocera and the Road to VoIP Application Ubiquity
The road to VoIP application ubiquity has already started.
First, Vonage came out with their USB memory stick VoIP phone, aka V-Phone. Then Vocera came out with their Call Badge. While the V-Phone has its place, it's the latter that really excites me. (Although I suspect that maybe the Badge came before the V-Phone.)
The Vocera Call Badge is a wearable mobile VoIP phone. It can hang around your neck with a piece of cord, like a necklace, or be attached to clothing with its clip. With the Call Badge, you can communicate over WiFi with anyone else carrying one of these, within range of a supporting WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network).
The best part? Besides a button or two, it's a hands-free device, controlled by voice commands. You can ask for a certain person or station, and your communication will be routed to the appropriate badge.
Currently, the device has a native speaker, so your conversation can be overheard. However, since the Call Badge was designed for enterprise use (hospitals, labs, offices, stores, etc.), that's not surprising. But I don't see why they couldn't be made compatible with Bluetooth for future versions, where some privacy is a necessity.
Either way, I see incredible VoIP applications here, if a
supporting
WLAN can handle the VoIP traffic. Consider EMS workers, such as
firefighters. Equipped with Bluetooth headsets in their helmets, and
these Call Badges attached to their jacket. (Of course, that either
means high-capacity Municipal Wi-Fi networks, or porting around a
WiFi-enabled computer server system on fire engines, ambulances, etc.)
I was unable to find any information about whether Vocera is publicly-traded, but I suspect not. However, if they go public, I'm considering buying shares. They have been successfully installing their VoIP communications system in numerous locations, including several hospitals, and their overall concept is pretty sound. Check out their sample videos for a clear explanation of how the system works. It's too bad that the existing system does not work with Skype.
Sources: Wi-Fi Planet, Vocera, Vonage V-Phone.
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