Realbotix has launched an AI teaching assistant and deployed an M-Series humanoid robot in a pilot program at a New York school district. The deployment is taking place at the Salamanca City Central School District, located on the Seneca Nation Reservation.
The pilot features two main components. The first is Optio, a software platform that uses personalized avatars trained on the district's curriculum to provide 24/7 homework support and tutoring across multiple languages. The second is a physical Realbotix M-Series humanoid robot, which uses facial expressions and natural conversation for real-time classroom interaction.
The initial rollout targets high school students enrolled in Woz ED AI and Robotics courses. The district plans to expand access to approximately 500 high school students during the fall semester. According to Realbotix, the software is designed to support neurodiverse learners and assist educators with lesson planning and curriculum adaptation. Teachers retain full control over content delivery.
The system operates under strict district oversight. Salamanca Superintendent Dr. Mark Beehler stated that the platform includes school-specific safeguards for content and privacy to prevent exposure to inaccurate or biased information. The district intends to use the AI as a custom resource to improve educator efficiency, rather than a replacement for human teachers.
This pilot tests whether embodied AI and specialized tutoring software can function as practical educational tools outside a controlled laboratory. By tracking student engagement, concept mastery, and teacher workload, the program will determine if humanoid robots and AI assistants can provide measurable value in live STEM classrooms.