Seoul's robot teaching assistants

Technology is entering classrooms in Seoul, South Korea. Miniature robot "Alpha Mini" is supporting teachers of children aged 4 and 5.

The robots, which measure just 24.5 centimetres, are trained with many skills. These include reading stories, teaching Kung Fu, dancing and singing songs. In addition, Alpha Mini can do push-ups and respond to instructions. Children can ask it to make farting sounds!

Jang Min-sung: "It’s great fun."

Lee Ga-yoon: "When I tell it to sing, it sings well. I tell it to dance and we dance together. I can tell it to sit down on a chair I made."

Jang Min-sung: "I enjoy it watching it do kung-fu and singing."

Lee Ga-yoon: "Playing with the robot makes me happy."

Seoul's government wants to develop children's use of artificial intelligence. Alpha Mini is preparing them for an AI future. Han Dong-seog leads a city childcare team.

Han Dong-seog: "In the future, knowing how to manage AI and related tools will be very important. We believe having such experience in nursery schools will have a lasting effect through their youth and as adults."

The robots are being trialled in 300 nurseries and childcare centres in Seoul. Alpha Mini is currently being used to help 4 to 6 year olds. Additional training is planned to expand this to include 3 year olds.

However, there are no plans for Alpha Mini to take over from teachers, they're simply another tool.

Han Dong-seog: "We don’t think the robots will replace teachers, but they will assist them. After this year’s pilot programme and as we continue the programme next year, we will definitely have to develop a manual regarding the robot’s role and position." View Less