The ROBIC initiative, driven by the Ministries of Digitalization and of Education, Science, and Universities, will be extended to ten public schools in Madrid, including the Peñalara School in Collado Villalba. This pioneering program utilizes social assistive robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as support tools in classrooms for students with special needs.
The program is designed to enhance early intervention for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), developmental delays, limitations in motor, cognitive, and/or relational capacity, neurodevelopmental disorders, or consequences of brain damage. It provides teachers and therapists with an additional tool to adapt activities to each minor's needs, while educational decisions remain with these professionals.
During sessions, students interact with a humanoid robot equipped with 3D cameras and other sensors. These enable the robot to interpret the child's interaction and adjust activities to their learning pace. AI selects the most suitable exercises from a program catalog to reinforce aspects such as communication, oral and body expression, psychomotricity, and self-awareness. Information collected during sessions is used solely for adapting educational activities to each student, in full compliance with data protection regulations.
Following an eight-month pilot experience at the Gaudem School in the capital, involving 30 minors aged between four and ten, evaluations have shown an increase in interest, participation, and motivation. There has also been an improvement in understanding instructions and the promotion of a calmer, more collaborative learning environment.
A notable case involved a girl with ASD who, through interaction with the robot, began to show communicative skills despite significant prior speech difficulties. Teaching staff highlighted the tool's ease of integration into the classroom, and families positively reported their children's increased well-being and enthusiasm during sessions.
The expansion of the ROBIC program will include, in addition to the Peñalara School in Collado Villalba, nine other public centers: Inmaculada Concepción (Madrid), Duque de Ahumada (Valdemoro), Miguel Hernández (Colmenar Viejo), Iker Casillas (Torrejón de Ardoz), Perú (Carabanchel), Maestra Trinidad García (Fuenlabrada), El Olivar (Rivas-Vaciamadrid), and Profesor Tierno Galván (Alcobendas).
