A telepresence unit control and communication methods are disclosed. The telepresence unit enables a virtual presence of a controller, a human being, located away from the telepresence unit. The telepresence unit control and communication methods enable a mechanical motion control of the telepresence unit by utilizing a visual communication between the telepresence unit and a computer administered by the controller. The telepresence unit utilizes a mobile computing device to establish the visual communication channel to the computer via the internet. Once the visual communication channel is established, the present invention provides a video modification as means of controlling and communicating with the telepresence unit.