AV1 is an innovative avatar robot that enables children with chronic illnesses or mental health problems to remain physically connected to their school and classmates despite their absence. With this simple but effective technological tool, the Norwegian company No Isolation is changing the way sick children are included in education and society.
When a child cannot go to school due to a chronic illness or psychological problems, the effects of his absence are not only evident in the field of education. Absence from the school environment also means isolation from peers and loss of important social contacts, which can worsen their well-being. And that's where the robot comes in AV1 – simple, but an extremely effective technological solution from a Norwegian company No Isolation.
How does AV1 work?
AV1 is white, a minimalist robot, which is more reminiscent of a futuristic art installation than complex technology. It consists of a head and torso, can rotate 360 degrees, and contains a camera, microphone and speaker. Teachers simply place it on a desk in the classroom while the sick child controls it remotely via an app. With a simple touch of the screen, the child can "look" around the classroom and listen to what is happening in the lesson.
But that's not all - AV1 enables also interaction. The child can talk to classmates or the teacher through the speaker, and with the "raise your hand" function, the robot's head lights up, which means that the student is ready to participate in the lesson. Different emotions can also be displayed in the robot's eyes - emoji icons that help the child express how they feel.
Social connection in the first place
According to Florence Salisbury, director of marketing at No Isolation, the greatest value of the AV1 robot is not only in allowing the child to follow the lessons, but in maintaining social contact with classmates. Salisbury cites the example of a 15-year-old student from Warwickshire, England, who is unable to attend school due to illness, but his AV1 robot friends always take him out to lunch – so it remains a part of their everyday life.
This is especially important during long absences, when sick children might not see their friends for a long time. The rhythm of school life continues, and the student remains a part of it.
Widespread use
To date, more than 3,000 units are in use AV1 in 17 countries, mostly in Great Britain and Germany. Using the robots isn't cheap, but schools have the option of renting the device for around £150 a month or buying it for almost US$5,000, including annual maintenance.
In addition, there are many charitable organizations such as the British Chartwell Cancer Trust, have already recognized the value of the robot and offer help to families with sick children to stay involved in education.
Technical challenges and the future
Of course, not everything is perfect. Some schools face problems in providing adequate infrastructure – such as poor Wi-Fi connections or technical challenges in integrating AV1 into existing systems. Salisbury also mentions the need to educate teachers on the use of avatar technologies to ensure the best possible user experience.
But No Isolation is ready for these challenges. They recently launched the platform AV1 Academy, which offers schools and teachers educational content and technical advice to facilitate the use of the robot. That's right AV1 designed with strong security features - data flow is encrypted, recording or sharing of screenshots is not possible, and the robot only connects to one user at a time.
Connection, no pressure
Compared to some other avatar robots that have displays with a child's face or can move around the room (like VGo or Buddy), the AV1 does not move. This may sound like a disadvantage, but Salisbury points out that precisely the absence of a screen with the child's face can be an advantage. "Without the pressure of constantly being in front of the camera, we've noticed that kids find it easier to use AV1, especially those with mental health issues like anxiety."
Robot of the future?
The AV1 robot is more than just a technological toy – it's a bridge between home and school for children pushed to the margins by illness. Regardless of the technical challenges and high costs, its value is invaluable. It empowers children to remain a part of the world they know and love, even when that world seems out of their reach.
In fact, AV1 may not just represent the future of education for sick children – it represents the future of inclusive technology that will change the way we look at how people stay connected to society, no matter the circumstances.
AV1 is proof that technology is not only changing the way we teach, but also the way people, especially children, remain a part of the world when they cannot physically reach it.
