'Shark Tank' Product of the Day: ABII Educational Robot helps kids get classroom-like education at home
As lockdown continues around the country, schools and educational centers remain closed, making children resort to online/virtual classes and taking assistance from parents. While that helps kids keep in touch with their curriculum, an extra hand to make learning more detailed and fun is always welcome! Meet ABii — your child's new mentor and friend who can customize learning and make your kids enjoy classroom-like education right at home.
Founded by Van Robotics, the educational robot uses machine learning to create cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence and blends it with the best pedagogical techniques to create different learning styles and meet their educational goals.
Laura Boccanfuso founded the tech company in 2016 and developed eight different prototypes with 22 math lessons. In 2018, they launched their pilot program with ABii across various schools in Alabama, Kansas, New York and South Carolina. She then presented the robot and what it could do to the sharks on 'Shark Tank' Season 11. Although the product idea was introduced a couple of years ago, this seems to be the best time to let your child avail of this technology and enjoy learning at home, without missing out on classroom education.
What is ABii?
ABii is an educational robot that uses AI-driven educational techniques. It is programmed with core subjects for K-5 grade levels and delivers instructions and training in a fun, engaging way, thus helping children learn while enhancing their social interactions. It is best for assisting teachers in classroom, post-school mentorship programs, and presently and most importantly, parents at home.
How does it work?
ABii works in a simple plug-and-play mode. The robot can be connected to a desktop or laptop using her built-in WiFi. Once the device is added, you need to register the same on its website and voila! Your child is ready to interact with ABii. Typically, a teacher feeds in a customized lesson into the robot and the student is then led through a customized program for a specific subject/lesson. There are learning tools, tests, and assessments as well, just like a regular classroom session. Currently, ABii can help with 2-5 grade level math. By Fall 2020, Van Robotics is planning to release K-2 reading curriculum and more.
What’s in it for you?
Every child has their own speed, pace, and style of learning. But it is not always possible for teachers to customize lesson plans for every child in a group or a class of several students. The same is with parents who are now fully engaged in helping their children with school lessons at home. An extra hand that can also tailor-make the lessons for your child can only enhance the process and help your child learn better and make the learning process more interactive.
ABii also enlists her other virtual "friends", Wanda, Mario, Jolt, Vee, and Url to join her in teaching kids and make the learning experience more exciting. While interacting with the child, ABii can also learn their behavioral patterns and assess their stress levels, lack of attention, and so on. She is programmed to call for a break or engage in a playful/fun activity with the students at such instances. Thus, your child gets the space and yet continues with the learning. ABii can automatically update her software, including any new lessons, behaviors and other user information.
How much does it cost?
ABii is available in both school and home versions. Van Robotics is currently helping parents and children with homeschooling and is running an offer on ABii Home Version at a flexible payment plan. The home version costs $599 (+ $24.99 flat shipping fees) and includes 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade math. It can help teach up to three students. The robot’s software program comes with a flat hardware fee and a monthly subscription service.
Where can I buy it?
You can order Abii home version on the company website.
What do customers say?
Parents who are have been engaged in teaching their kids during the lockdown and helping them with their lessons, have found ABii to be a boon. "I bought an Abii for my 8-year-old and not only does she LOVE playing with it, but she is also learning math! It’s amazing how well Abii interacts with my daughter and can tell when she needs help and how she is doing. I love Abii and am excited to see them everywhere”, says a mother who has been helping her daughter learn math. A teacher and educator also adds, "the combination of artificial intelligence & curriculum-based lessons that are delivered by a friendly robot is the perfect educational tool for young children."
