Twelve-year-old Howard, battling a rare arm cancer and undergoing intensive chemotherapy, found his school attendance plummeting. However, an innovative solution emerged in the form of ‘AV Howard,’ an interactive robot avatar that attends classes in Howard’s place. Hosts Patricia Wu and Jessica Reyes break down the story with clinical hypnotherapist, Rene Brent in Psychology Behind the Headlines.
“Going to the future”
AV Howard, equipped with a camera and speaker, allows Howard to see, hear, and participate in lessons from home or the hospital. Teachers and classmates have embraced AV Howard, even undergoing training to seamlessly integrate the robot into daily activities.
A slice of normalcy while battling cancer
Howard emphasizes the significant impact AV Howard has had on his life, allowing him to stay connected to his education and classmates despite his illness. The robot has also been a hit with fellow students, who take turns carrying it between classes and enjoy the positive attention it receives.
Breaking down barriers for students
Headteacher Martin O’Sullivan highlights the importance of this technology for students facing barriers to regular school attendance, stressing its positive impact on both academic progress and mental well-being.
The robot was provided by the charity Momentum, which supports children with serious illnesses and their families. Momentum hopes to expand the use of this technology to help more children like Howard.
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