Watch: Tiny Robot Helps Sick Children Stay Connected and Attend School

When children face chronic illnesses that keep them from attending school, the impact extends beyond their health—it affects their social life and education too. Norwegian company No Isolation addresses this issue with their AV1 robot, designed to help these students stay connected with their peers by acting as their surrogate in the classroom.

The AV1 robot, resembling a minimalist human head and torso, is equipped with a camera, microphone, and speaker, and can rotate 360 degrees. It sits on the student’s desk, operated remotely through an app that allows the student to interact with their classroom in real time. The student can navigate the classroom view, speak through the robot, raise a digital hand, and even express emotions using emoji displays on the robot’s face.

With 3,000 units actively used across 17 countries, the AV1 is particularly prevalent in the UK and Germany. In the UK, schools have the option to rent the AV1 for about £150 per month or purchase it for £3,700, with an additional annual service fee.

The key advantage of the AV1 is its role in maintaining social interactions for students who are absent long-term. Florence Salisbury, the marketing director for No Isolation, recounts a touching instance where a student’s friends included their AV1 robot during lunch, helping preserve crucial social bonds.

The AV1’s relevance surged during the Covid-19 pandemic as schools transitioned to remote learning. Post-pandemic, it continues to assist students struggling to return to the classroom environment. The Chartwell Cancer Trust in the UK, for example, provides these robots to children in intensive care, allowing them to participate in schoolwork and social activities from the hospital.

The introduction of such technology, however, is not without challenges. Issues such as administrative hurdles, technical infrastructure needs, and training for effective use persist. To address these, No Isolation launched the AV1 Academy to offer comprehensive training materials aimed at enhancing the robot’s usability.

Privacy is a paramount concern for the AV1, which features robust security measures including encryption and a system that prevents screenshots and recordings, ensuring that the student’s interaction remains private and secure.

Overall, the AV1 robot stands out as an innovative solution that helps chronically ill students stay engaged both socially and educationally, mitigating the isolating effects of long-term absences from school.