For introductory lessons, humanoid platforms with pre-prepared activities and training may be suitable. If learners are to develop their own applications, documented programming tools and technical support are more important. Buying can make sense for regular use, while renting or Robot-as-a-Service may suit a time-limited trial. The key considerations are your specific lesson plan, what is included in the service, and checking data flows, access rights and documentation before making a purchase.
Whether a humanoid robot is right for teaching depends above all on who prepares the activities, what learners are expected to develop themselves and who will support its operation.
If you want to introduce programming, sensors or AI using pre-prepared classroom activities, check what training is required, whether the robot can be operated without developing your own software, and how user permissions are managed. United Robotics Group describes these potential uses for its education platform.
If learners are expected to develop dialogues, movements or their own applications, documented tools, interfaces, and time for testing and support are important. SoftBank Robotics provides development documentation for NAO, while the Berlin University of Applied Sciences and Technology describes teaching projects using NAO and Pepper.
When planning a pilot or longer-term use, consider the duration of use, installation, training and ongoing responsibilities together. United Robotics Group lists purchase, rental and Robot-as-a-Service as possible procurement options for its platform.
First, decide whether the robot should support ready-made teaching activities or be used as a tool for programming work. Then consider the number of devices and the usage model. For both types of platform, you’ll need to check data protection, support and the required documentation.
Suitable if: Teachers want to prepare initial dialogues and demonstrations without developing their own software.
Consider: United Robotics Group describes uMe Uno as having pre-prepared functions, while also stating that its voice dialogues use an external AI service.
Suitable if: Learners are expected to develop and test robot behaviour themselves as part of project courses or university modules.
Consider: Development tools make it possible to set your own project work, but you’ll need to allow time for technical support and software maintenance.
| Consideration | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Getting started with teaching and support | Which planned activities can be prepared, and what training and support does the offer include? | If I’m running a lesson on my own, I need to be able to prepare the activities and deal with any issues. For around 31% of consumers, being able to manage this initial setup is a priority. |
| Programmability | Which development tools, interfaces, licences and support periods apply to the specific model? | In my project course, learners should develop their own applications rather than simply trigger a demonstration. Around 25% of consumers prioritise hands-on programming. |
| Data and access rights | What data is transmitted by the camera, microphone, voice service and remote access, and who can access it? | Whenever sensors or online services are used in teaching, I want to understand their data flows and permissions in advance. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this level of control. |
| Usage model | Compare purchase, rental and Robot-as-a-Service over the same period of use and with the same services included. | For a time-limited teaching period, I want to know who is responsible for setup, support and return. This contract planning is a priority for around 19% of consumers. |
A voice or movement demo doesn’t show whether learners can complete the planned tasks themselves using the available development tools.
Ask for a task from your curriculum to be demonstrated in the intended environment, and check the versions, licences and support available.
For independent projects, you’ll also need to allow time for lesson planning, testing and software maintenance.
Even when perception features work locally, voice services, logs or remote access may still process or transmit data. United Robotics Group states that uMe Uno uses an external AI service for voice dialogues.
Check the data flows for every enabled feature with the relevant data protection and IT leads. The Rhineland-Palatinate data protection authority highlights possible transfers to third countries for comparable telepresence systems.
A comparison is only useful to your organisation if the usage period and included services are defined on the same basis. With rental or Robot-as-a-Service, onboarding, maintenance and returns may be handled differently.
Make sure each quote states whether installation, training, software, support, a replacement device and returns are included.
If the operating and safety documents required for the specific model variant are missing, approval for classroom use may be delayed. The applicable legal requirements depend on how the system is classified.
Request the operating instructions in German, safety information and conformity documents before making a decision, and ask the responsible team to check whether they apply.
The providers below illustrate different approaches to teaching. Check the suitability of each option for the specific model variant, planned task and support available on site.
United Robotics Group offers its uMe platform to education providers, among others, and describes both pre-prepared functions and programming projects.
NAO and Pepper feature in documented education and university projects; SoftBank Robotics provides development documentation for NAO.
The following model is designed for programming-focused robotics projects. Use a specific course to assess which development tools and support you’ll need.
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Designed for project work involving programming a humanoid robot. The product name specifies 22 degrees of freedom. Before using it, check which development tools you’ll need and who will provide technical support during the course.
That depends on the model and the features you enable. United Robotics Group says uMe Uno doesn’t need a constant internet connection, although its voice dialogue uses an external AI service. Check the network requirements of each feature you plan to use in class.
Before use, clarify how recordings are captured, stored and transmitted, as well as who has access to them. For comparable telepresence systems, the Rhineland-Palatinate data protection authority highlights information duties and possible transfers to third countries. The specific robot should be assessed by your organisation’s data protection leads.
Request the operating instructions, safety information and conformity documents for the model variant being offered. The relevant procurement or safety team should check how and to what extent the requirements of § 2 MaschinenDG apply to the specific system, based on its legal classification.
Renting or Robot-as-a-Service may be particularly suitable for a time-limited teaching period or trial, while buying may be worth considering if you plan to use the robot regularly. United Robotics Group offers these usage options for its education platform. For your planned period of use, compare training, maintenance, support and return obligations in particular.