In Japan, robots will fight truancy in schools
The city of Kumamoto, in southwestern Japan, wants to help children attend school. To do this, local authorities transplant children into robots. This will allow children who are anxious about attending in person to be more immersed in school events.
The initiative involves two meter-high robots that will be equipped with microphones and a camera for two-way communication. This will allow students to stay at home while participating in classroom discussions.
The futuristic machines are self-propelled, meaning they can move freely around the school and even participate in school activities.
“In addition to allowing students to view lessons, they allow students to move freely in the space and communicate with others at will,” an education official told the Mainichi Shimbun, “I hope this can help reduce mental obstacles for students who are truant.
Japan has seen an increase in the number of school absenteeism, a trend potentially accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the number of absenteeism in the country rose to a record high, The Asahi Shimbun reports, citing a survey by the Ministry of Education.
