A pair of robots will help sick children who cannot leave their hospital beds connect directly with their classrooms. The program, titled “bringing education to students by creating a learning environment”, is set to be developed soon to allow students who have to temporarily leave school to continue their education.
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| Achim Nurse, who is being treated at Blythedale Children’s Hospital (Valhalla, North of New York City), participates in class with the help of a robot. Achim’s image is displayed on the screen of the “Mrs. Candy” robot. |
While lying in bed on a specially designed mattress to protect his fragile bones, 13-year-old Achim Nurse presses a snow-white bandaged finger against a yellow button resembling a video game controller to read letters on the blackboard, turns the robot to talk with friends, raises the robot’s arm to speak, adjusts the sound, and can leave the classroom if a nurse comes to take him for tests or therapy.
Additionally, thanks to the camera and printer mounted on the robot, he can receive test prompts or materials distributed by the teacher during class.
Achim expressed that these robots have made him extremely excited. With the pair of robots set up right in the classroom, he can now keep up with his studies while also meeting friends during his treatment days in the hospital.
Researchers hope these robots can become a treatment tool for autism, as they allow patients to gain control over themselves in a social environment.
The aforementioned robot system is being developed in Toronto, Canada, with funding support from the government. Forty robots are being loaned long-term to hospitals. However, they can also be purchased on the market for $70,000 per pair.
