West New York’s Salamanca City Central School District has approved the purchase of “Sally,” a humanoid robot developed by Realbotix.
School officials say the technology will support courses in artificial intelligence and robotics while giving students firsthand experience with emerging technologies expected to shape future careers.
Realbotix describes the deployment as its first major pilot in a U.S. public school and says the district’s feedback will influence future classroom applications.
“This will help guide us in the future,” Realbotix CEO Andrew Kiguel said, referring to the company’s plans for educational robotics.
Sally features a silicone face, lifelike facial expressions, and upper-body movement. The robot will work alongside Optio, an AI-powered digital tutor. It will allow students to continue learning outside the classroom by reviewing previous lessons and receiving personalized academic support.
New York’s Salamanca City Central School District To Introduce “Sally” The AI-Powered Humanoid Robot To Teach
Realbotix believes a humanlike presence could encourage greater student engagement. The company acknowledges it has not provided evidence that a physical robot enhances learning outcomes more than AI software alone.
Salamanca Superintendent Mark Beehler said the robot is designed to complement classroom instruction, not replace educators.
“The problems the robot can solve are limited,” Beehler said. He added that Sally’s greatest value is exposing students in rural communities.
Education experts urge schools to evaluate whether the technology produces measurable academic benefits beyond its novelty.
“The most important question is not whether students are fascinated by the robot,” Ryan Schaaf, a professor at Notre Dame of Maryland University, said. He continued: “But whether the robot helps a good teacher design and execute a more meaningful learning experience.”
District officials say student participation will be voluntary. Conversations with the robot will remain encrypted and managed by the school. Artificial intelligence has become increasingly common in classrooms across the United States. The New York pilot could provide an early test of whether humanoid robots can enhance teaching while maintaining student privacy and public trust.
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