New York school district is testing lifelike robot teachers

A New York school district is piloting a humanoid robot teacher to help students with summer school classes.

Announced earlier this year, Salamanca City Central school district, located in Salamanca, New York, and Toronto-based robotics company Realbotix have partnered to integrate a new AI teachers' assistant into classrooms — and potentially debut a fleet of robot tutors this fall.

The AI, called Optio, will be available for students in classrooms and outside school hours, including 24/7 homework support. The robot, part of Realbotix' M-Series and named Sally, will be present in select Salamanca City Central high school AI and Robotics courses.

The company explains Sally uses natural language processing, facial expressions, and live feedback to provide classroom support, with "education-specific safety guardrails" in place. The robot has a human-like appearance and will remain seated at a desk, with partial upper-body movements. Students must provide Sally with their student ID number, which the robot uses to bring up personalized student learning data.

The school is part of the the Woz ED STEM Pathway curriculum program, started by Apple founder Steve Wozniak to boost STEM education.

"This deployment in a working school district represents a landmark moment for both AI and humanoid robotics,” Realbotix CEO Andrew Kiguel, said in a press release at the time. "We are moving beyond lab demonstrations and pilots to deliver real, embodied AI directly into classrooms — supporting teachers, engaging students, and proving that advanced robotics can thrive in live educational environments. Salamanca marks the beginning of a new era where humanoid robots and intelligent AI assistants become standard tools in STEM education."

Realbotix, formerly known as Tokens.com, rebranded after acquiring the hyperrealistic sex doll company RealDoll in 2024. The company recently debuted a new line of unsettlingly lifelike robot companions.

While AI embeds itself deeper in classrooms, tech watchdogs have warned that the technology may exacerbate bias and worsen inequality, especially among already underserved populations. Critics of classroom AI also warn that the technology could be used as a subpar replacement for human educators in districts with strained resources.

Notably, the Salamanca City Central district is located in part of the Seneca Nation of Indians Reservation, and more than a third of its students are Indigenous. Around 79 percent of the district's students are economically disadvantaged, New York Focus reports.

"This partnership gives all students controlled, equitable access to safe and powerful AI resources while fostering learning — not replacing it," said district Superintendent Mark Beehler.