Robot attends school instead of boy - 9th September 2024

While children all around the world are getting ready for their new school term - trying on their uniform and polishing their school shoes - Howard Thomas is charging his avatar robot.

The 12-year-old was diagnosed with an unusual form of arm cancer last December and started chemotherapy treatment the following month. The side-effects have made him feel so nauseous that he's often unable to attend school. A keen student, Howard missed not only the learning aspect, but also the social aspect of school life.

Hearing about Howard's situation, the Momentum Children's Charity offered assistance. It teamed up with the Chartwell Children's Cancer Trust to sort out a robot for Howard.

The AV1 robot - nicknamed AV Howard - allows human Howard to keep up with his lessons and also his friends, by substituting the boy in the classroom. The avatar robot is controlled by human Howard from his computer, when at home or undergoing treatment.

AV Howard is equipped with a camera, allowing Howard to access textbooks and worksheets in class. A speaker feature means Howard can participate fully in lessons and the schoolboy can even be naughty and whisper to classmates during lessons.

AV Howard can express emotions for his human. It's possible for Howard Thomas to alter his avatar's eyes and eyebrows to indicate when he's confused, happy or feeling low.

Howard's young classmates are eager to help out by transporting AV Howard to classes and ensuring their friend's avatar is placed in the perfect spot. Human Howard can now engage in the social chit-chat in the school corridors, which prevents him feeling isolated.

When school's over, AV Howard's delivered to the school office to be recharged overnight. While actual Howard's hopeful he'll also have the energy to restart school soon, his avatar robot's been an incredible help.