In these cases I want to create a Robo-Bob.
Robo-Bob is a laptop on a mobile platform (wheeled or treaded) with a wireless ethernet card and a camera.
I would control Robo-Bob from my computer by transmitting commands over the internet to the laptop which would control the platform motors.
A camera at my computer would transmit video to the screen of the laptop. A microphone at my computer would transmit audio to the speakers of the laptop.
The camera on the robot would transmit video back to my computer monitor. The microphone on the laptop would transmit sound back to my home speakers.
Of course, for many of my friends, I would want a jabbing arm so I could poke them in the shin; but that opens the door for microwave beams and flamethrowers and I really don't want this thing in the Battle Bots arena.