Turkish Olympic silver medalist Yusuf Dikec recently sparked a lively online conversation by posing a playful question to tech titan Elon Musk on X. Dikec, who secured silver in the mixed team 10-metre air pistol event, tweeted, “Hi Elon, do you think future robots can win medals at the Olympics with their hands in their pockets?” This lighthearted inquiry ignited a debate about the potential role of robots in sports.
Dikec’s unconventional shooting style, characterized by a relaxed demeanor, a T-shirt, and a hand casually tucked into his pocket, has made him an internet sensation. His laid-back approach has drawn comparisons to iconic film characters, capturing the attention of audiences worldwide.
While the prospect of robotic Olympians remains speculative, the integration of robotics in education is advancing rapidly. Though we haven’t seen robots competing in the athletic arena, they are already making a significant impact on classrooms. From interactive learning companions to personalized tutors, these innovative machines are redefining the educational landscape. This article highlights 14 remarkable robots that are enhancing student learning and setting new benchmarks in educational technology.
1.
NAO
Country of origin: US
Developed by: SoftBank Robotics
How does it work?
NAO is a programmable humanoid robot equipped with voice and facial recognition. It can perform various educational tasks such as teaching programming, conducting interactive lessons, and supporting students with special needs through its software development kit.
2.
Pepper
Country of origin: US
Developed by: SoftBank Robotics
How does it work?
Pepper is a humanoid robot capable of recognizing faces and basic human emotions. It can engage with students through presentations, question answering, and providing interactive and personalized learning experiences.
3.
Robovie
Country of origin: Japan
Developed by: ATR (Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International)
How does it work?
Equipped with sensors and cameras, Robovie interacts with students through conversation and activities. It provides feedback and encouragement to help children develop social skills.
4.
EMIEW
Country of origin: Japan
Developed by: Hitachi
How does it work?
EMIEW is a humanoid robot that can navigate environments and recognize speech. It assists with teaching and administrative tasks by providing information and guidance to students and teachers.
5.
Engkey
Country of origin: South Korea
Developed by: Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)
How does it work?
Engkey is an English language teaching robot that uses speech recognition and synthesis. It provides real-time feedback on students’ language skills through interactive lessons and dialogues.
6.
Albert
Country of origin: South Korea
Developed by: SK Telecom
How does it work?
Albert is an educational robot equipped with sensors and educational content. It teaches maths through interactive games and activities, encouraging students to explore and solve problems.
7.
Care-O-bot
Country of origin: Germany
Developed by: Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation
How does it work?
Care-O-bot is a service robot that uses advanced sensors and AI to navigate its environment. It assists in educational settings by delivering materials, providing information, and supporting administrative duties.
8.
NaoTH
Country of origin: Germany
Developed by: Humanoid Team Humboldt at Humboldt University of Berlin
How does it work?
NaoTH robots are programmable humanoid robots used for AI and robotics research. They can perform complex tasks like playing soccer, conducting experiments, and engaging in interactive learning activities.
9.
Jia Jia
Country of origin: China
Developed by: University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)
How does it work?
Jia Jia is a humanoid robot with facial recognition and natural language processing capabilities. It can converse with students, provide information, and assist in teaching, simulating human-like interactions.
10.
Xiaoyi
Country of origin: China
Developed by: iFlytek
How does it work?
Xiaoyi is an AI robot that uses advanced AI algorithms to understand and respond to medical queries. It assists medical students and professionals by providing access to medical knowledge, aiding in diagnostics, and offering educational content.
11.
Mitra
Country of origin: India
Developed by: Invento Robotics
How does it work?
Mitra is an interactive humanoid robot that uses facial recognition and natural language processing. It assists with tasks and engages students in learning activities through greetings, information provision, and interactive sessions.
12.
Nino
Country of origin: India
Developed by: Emotix
How does it work?
Nino is an educational robot that uses AI to understand and respond to children’s emotions. It focuses on emotional and social development through interactive play, stories, games, and activities.
13.
Kaspar
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Developed by: University of Hertfordshire
How does it work?
Kaspar is a humanoid robot that uses sensors and AI to understand and respond to children’s needs. It helps children with autism improve social interaction and communication skills through play and conversation.
14.
iPal
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Developed by: AvatarMind
How does it work?
iPal is an educational robot that uses AI to adapt to individual student needs. It conducts lessons, engages in interactive dialogues, and provides personalized learning experiences.
