Robots could be used in schools to take the place of children who cannot attend class in person in South Gloucestershire.
The local authority is considering the use of ‘telepresence’ robots to allow pupils whose special needs prevent them from physically being in school to interact with their classmates and teachers virtually from home.
Such robots sit in classrooms and perform a child’s commands at a distance during the day.
They also translate what is happening, move, organise communication with the class and teachers, and even go with everyone for dinner, according to specialist publication Robotics Tomorrow.
The possibility of introducing the technology in local schools was raised by South Gloucestershire Council’s head of education, Hilary Smith, at a meeting of the local authority’s scrutiny commission on Wednesday, June 23.
Ms Smith said: “One thing that we are looking to do is…using robots for children who can’t be in classroom.