In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world quickly learned the necessity of online modalities to promote health and safety. Many of us can certainly remember the rise of platforms like Zoom, hours spent in front of the computer in the absence of going to school or work, and the growing feelings of isolation as you went longer and longer without seeing your loved ones. While the worst of the pandemic has subsided, and we return to the (relatively) normal pace of regular life, remnants of our digital reliance remain. Zoom is permanently integrated into our professional and academic lives, and we become increasingly connected even if disease, natural disasters, and distance threaten to tear us apart.

Companies like the aptly named No Isolation have recognized society's reliance on online platforms and are actively addressing the pressing concern of K-12 student attendance. By creating a robotic "telepresence" they've named AV1, No Isolation is paving the way to bring students excluded from in-person schooling opportunities into the classroom alongside their peers.

What is AV1?

AV1 is a robot that allows students with various ailments to attend school in their stead. Weighing roughly two pounds and fashioned to mimic a human torso, the robot is equipped with a camera and speaker with which students can communicate and interact with their teachers and friends. After downloading the free AV1 App, students can connect to their classroom robots and navigate their school work from the comfort of their homes without fearing falling behind or missing out on meaningful connections with those they care about.

Despite its seemingly simple design, AV1 is a powerful tool for students to express themselves and engage with their peers. The robot's expressive capabilities, including a range of emojis available through the AV1 app, allow it to convey emotions such as sadness, happiness, confusion, and contentment, enhancing the interactive user experience. While the robot is not equipped with wheels, its light weight allows teachers and other students to easily move it from classroom to classroom, promoting engagement and inclusivity.

Why is AV1 Important?

There are several reasons why students may be absent from school. While the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated student absences, chronic illness, mental health strain, autoimmune diseases, physical injuries, and learning difficulties can all contribute to absenteeism. But it's not just a few days off that we're talking about. Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of a given school year, affects roughly 30% of all schoolchildren. And it's about more than just missing out on lessons. Chronically absent students are at a higher risk of falling behind academically, dropping out of school, and facing adverse health, employment, and financial consequences in the long term.

AV1 is not just a robot. It's a significant step towards addressing the critical national problem of chronic absenteeism. By providing a solution that allows students to attend school remotely, AV1 is playing a crucial role in mitigating this crisis.

Equitable Education For All

Viktor Lund-Vogensen from North Zealand.

No Isolation centers on four important ideals when creating its product: live connection, belonging, participation, and a fatigue-friendly design. The equitable and inclusive nature of the AV1 robot allows a myriad of students to receive an equal education despite their ailments, which often deprive them of the opportunity to attend class in person and maintain special connections with their peers.

The impact of this invention is already unfolding in real-time. AV1 case studies reveal the personalized difference these robots make in the lives of young students across the globe. One example of a student who benefitted from the AV1 robot was Viktor, a 13-year-old boy from North Zealand. Viktor was diagnosed with cancer and required a stem-cell transplant, which isolated him from his peers for a year. However, during this time, Viktor was given access to AV1 and could engage with his friends while keeping up with his studies.

"It was very nice to talk to others and take part in the lessons," said Viktor. "We were also together during recess, just on the robot. Among other things, we played games or watched a film or football match."

The importance of connection, whether virtual or physical, can not be understated. Children like Viktor, who are faced with life-threatening ailments, deserve the opportunity to lead normal lives. By giving them access to their education through digital means, they can recover fully without missing the crucial moments that define their education and, more importantly, their childhood.

AV1 Robot Helps Children Attend School