New Programmable Robots Work With CREC River Street School Students

Ben and Jerry are the newest members of the CREC River Street School community.

The programmable NAO robots are now used as instructional training devices at CREC River Street School in Windsor, a school that serves both students on the autism spectrum and students with other developmental disabilities.

Teachers will use these new robots with students with autism, helping them to improve their social, sensory, and cognitive skills. The robots will also help children with their motor control skills, with eye contact imitation, and with turn taking.

Few, if any, schools in Connecticut are currently incorporating this kind of technology into the classroom, and CREC River Street School is excited that it can offer its students the chance to learn in this way.

The robots were developed by Alderbaran Robotics, a French robotics company, and the new technology was slowly introduced to CREC River Street School students during a program this summer. The robots were introduced to the school’s full student body this fall.

Ben and Jerry are 24 inches tall, interactive, and they each came to CREC River Street School already programmed with about 55 applications that cover many areas, such as social interactions, dancing, and educational programs.

A $5,000 grant from the Mike Maloney & Pete Landry Memorial Golf Tournament enabled CREC River Street School to purchase the robots.