Manufactured by VGo, the robot is Wi-Fi-enabled with a two-way camera and microphone. The device stands upright on wheels, and users can remotely control the robot.
“Through word of mouth from a patient, [FBISD] expressed interest through the clinical side,” said Daniel Smith, M.D. Anderson manager of pediatric education and creative arts.
Users can remotely control the robot using Wi-Fi, while communicating via the camera and microphone.[/caption]The hospital purchased two robots in 2014 with an internal grant. The devices cost about $7,000 each, which includes the price of necessary computer software.
“It’s really pretty neat,” said Deena Hill, FBISD executive director of special education.
The FBISD board of trustees approved a memorandum to use one of the hospital’s robots March 28, but the district also hopes to purchase two of its own. Funding would come from $20,000 in grants from the Fort Bend Education Foundation, which would include the cost of software and equipment.
M.D. Anderson’s robots have only been used on the hospital campus for children in treatment. FBISD is the first district to establish an agreement with the hospital system for the robots, however, Smith said Houston, Pearland and Alvin ISDs have also expressed interest.
“The major [requirements] of that device are [that] we have to have a secure place to store it, [and] to be able to make sure it can charge,” he said. “Typically between wireless access points there’s the potential for the robot to freeze.”
The robot must also use a district’s Wi-Fi, and someone will need to know how to troubleshoot the device should problems occur. Smith and Hill said students or school staff could act as “buddies” for the robot throughout the day to ensure the device is working properly.
Smith said the robot is only for communication, and students cannot use it to send their assignments to teachers electronically.
“It’s certainly not something that’s required [of homebound students],” Hill said. “It’s kind of a supplement.”
