The first toddlers-optimized, AI-based social robot supporting early and friendly 2nd language acquisition

Project Information

ROBOTOD

Grant agreement ID: 855734

DOI

10.3030/855734

Project closed

EC signature date 28 January 2019

Start date 1 February 2019

End date 31 May 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

CURIOSITY ROBOTICS LTD
Israel

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ROBOTOD (The first toddlers-optimized, AI-based social robot supporting early and friendly 2nd language acquisition)

Reporting period: 2019-02-01 to 2019-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Language skills are a top priority for the modern society. Yet English as a second language learning is gradually starting at earlier age in public schools (e.g. 6-8 years in EU) many children are missing the critical period (1-4 years old), in which a second language can be acquired as a mother tongue, and starting too late causes frustration to children and parents. To be effective, early second language learning in toddlers (1-4 years) needs social interaction and curiosity stimulation. Current solutions (e.g. screen-based apps.) are ineffective for toddlers as optimized for school children (>6 years) and are not academically validated. Curiosity Robotics (CR) offers a disruptive robot (RoboTod), simple and appealing to the infant and loaded with AI and sensors supporting personalization and infants’ physical interactions and teamwork with parents to teach English as a second language while stimulating child curiosity. RoboTod is toddler-optimized, independent on screens or speech-recognition, and with a rich linguistic content academically validated by linguists. After confirming its technical and commercial feasibility in phase 1, RoboTod will reach market by a phase 2 project for: 1) hardware optimization, i.e. the development of a unique flexible robotic joint, visual/sound sensors, curiosity algorithms, AI and machine learning; 2) pilot validation/demonstration with children in Europe and Asia; 3) certification and materials preparation to meet all ethics and privacy protection needs; 4) commercialization by a comprehensive dissemination-communication plan. RoboTod will first target Europe (7.5 million potential users) and then China by a B2B2C strategy starting in European schools of CR´s strategic collaborators combined with local partners for distribution. Robotod´s market launch is expected for 2021, with €57.9M revenue accumulated until 2025, while contributing to the European Council priority of ´enhancing the learning of languages´ across Europe.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the last four months (February-May 2019) Curiosity Robotics staff have worked hard to perform a comprehensive feasibility study supporting:
a. The technical feasibility of RoboTod social robot for teaching toddler 2nd languages. Our study has demonstrated that using a flexible joint segment uniquely designed by us will increase the overall performance of our robot in term of toddler interaction, communicative body language (fluent, harmonic and coordinated movement), safety and cost. Also, we have confirmed the feasibility of adding further components to the console in order to further improve RoboTod’s toddler interaction including directional microphones, video cameras, and props components (microcontrollers, RFID tags, inductive charger). Finally, we have designed the experiment plan on the academic tests for validation of child-robotic interaction to be carried out during phase 2.
b. The economic feasibility of RoboTod with a payback period of 2 years post-commercialisation for foreseen Phase 2 investments.
c. The commercial feasibility of RoboTod, providing a clear roadmap to follow for a successful commercialization, communication and dissemination during an eventual phase 2 project and beyond. Phase 1 has allowed identifying key mitigation contingency procedure to RoboTod regulation regarding ethics and data protection issues and has allowed to draw a preliminary strategy for communication and dissemination. Furthermore, we have identified key partners that would foster our commercial development (e.g. Kin Yat in China and Helen Doron in Europe).
Phase 1 has also allowed to: a) confirm by a FTO assessment that no patents block RoboTod commercial development; b) plan the intellectual property strategy and foreseen patent portfolio; c) identify the dissemination and distribution channel instruments to deliver RoboTod to target public for a successful commercialization in EU and China.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Introducing languages at an early age is envisioned to be a solution to the lack of second language acquisition. However, in most countries, second language is still only taught from primary school (6-8 years) which is already too late. Parents are eager to provide babies and toddlers with another language but most cannot afford a home tutor. The alternative are high-tech solutions for home use (online applications, visual classes, talking dolls) though these are not effective since not optimized for toddlers (1-4 years old) but for school children (>6 years old) and in some cases go against paediatric recommendations to avoid screen use before 2 years or limit it to 1 hour a day for 2-5 years.
Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have allowed the creation of social robots that can respond according to humans' perceptions. In this course of actions, Curiosity Robotics has developed a robot, RoboTod, the first educational robot to support toddler’s second language teaching based on a novel academically-validated AI system enabling personalized, long-term, and engaging interactions through the disruptive approach of curiosity stimulation. Second language is learnt at their own homes comfort using physical interactions and games as a framework that instructs child’s knowledge in a fun and natural manner.
According to the market study developed during phase 1, Robotod is clearly superior to competing alternatives with no comparable direct competitors (robots) focused on toddlers´ early language learning. Robotod will mainly target the European and Chinese markets, where, assuming a conservative 0.5% market uptake, Curiosity Robotics estimates sales of 152 000 units and €57.9 million revenues in the five years post-market launch (2021-2025). Beyond becoming an essential asset for the company´s growth and job creation (i.e. around 70 jobs created in 5 years), Robotod will benefit the European and Chinese societies offering a truly effective solution for early second language learning ultimately leading to enhanced education and cultural exchange among individuals.