A novel educational initiative has been piloted by the Salamanca City Central school district in New York, in collaboration with Toronto-based robotics company Realbotix. The program involves the integration of a humanoid robot teacher, dubbed Sally, into select high school AI and Robotics courses.
Sally is part of the M-Series, utilizing natural language processing, facial expressions, and live feedback to provide classroom support. The robot's design features human-like appearance and partial upper-body movements, remaining seated at a desk. Students must provide Sally with their student ID number to access personalized learning data.
The school district is part of the Woz ED STEM Pathway curriculum program initiated by Apple founder Steve Wozniak to boost STEM education. This deployment represents a landmark moment for both AI and humanoid robotics, as it marks the beginning of a new era where robots become standard tools in STEM education.
Realbotix CEO Andrew Kiguel stated in a press release that this pilot project moves beyond lab demonstrations and pilots to deliver real, embodied AI directly into classrooms, supporting teachers, engaging students, and proving that advanced robotics can thrive in live educational environments. Salamanca City Central marks the beginning of an era where humanoid robots and intelligent AI assistants become standard tools in STEM education.
Realbotix, formerly known as Tokens.com, rebranded after acquiring the hyperrealistic sex doll company RealDoll in 2024. The company recently debuted a new line of unsettlingly lifelike robot companions.
As AI embeds itself deeper into classrooms, tech watchdogs have warned that the technology may exacerbate bias and worsen inequality, especially among already underserved populations. Critics of classroom AI warn that it could be used as a subpar replacement for human educators in districts with strained resources.
Notably, Salamanca City Central is located on part of the Seneca Nation of Indians Reservation, and more than a third of its students are Indigenous. Around 79 percent of the district's students are economically disadvantaged.
The partnership aims to provide all students controlled, equitable access to safe and powerful AI resources while fostering learning – not replacing it, according to district Superintendent Mark Beehler.
This initiative marks a significant development in the integration of artificial intelligence into education, offering insights into the potential benefits and challenges associated with the deployment of humanoid robots in classrooms.
Written by: Dr. Quirkatron | The Citizen Edition
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