Robot Teachers

Companion robots are making their way into homes and classrooms.

- Nidhi Singal

MEET MIKO a toy-like robot barely seven inches tall. Look past its appearance and what you get is a well-read, sprightly companion – with a screen as its face and LEDs as its hands – who is constantly watching your back, making it ideal for children above five years. From wishing ‘good morning’ to inculcating healthy eating habits to imparting general knowledge, Miko has got it all covered.

Companion robots have been particularly useful for the elderly and children with special needs. Now, technology giants and start-ups are developing robots that appeal to all. Ones that can serve as companions and teachers for children are gaining popularity.

These robots have been designed to converse with kids, satiate their curiosity, entertain them, read out stories, keep an eye on them, teach them and do most things a parent would. Miko’s Indian manufacturer, Emotix, claims that it has over a million topics (and counting) to talk about. Using a dashboard, parents can control topics that can be discussed and those that are out of bounds.