From S*x Dolls to the Classroom: Why an NY School Is Using Realbotix's 'Sally' Robot

A New York school district is piloting a humanoid robot teacher named “Sally” to serve as an AI-powered teaching assistant, marking a pioneering but controversial step in classroom technology. Beginning this fall, the Salamanca City Central School District will integrate the robot into its high school AI and Robotics courses as part of an effort to bolster STEM education and provide personalised support to students.

The Technology Behind 'Sally'

The robot, developed by the Toronto-based robotics firm Realbotix, is part of the company's M-Series. While Sally possesses a lifelike, human-like appearance with silicone skin and long brown hair, she is designed to remain stationary at a desk. Despite her fixed position, she is capable of a wide range of upper-body movements and facial expressions, allowing for interactive, hands-on learning experiences. US: Robot Developed by Johns Hopkins University Performs Gallbladder Removal Surgery With 100% Accuracy on Life-Like Model.

According to Realbotix, the system utilises natural language processing and live feedback to assist students. When students interact with Sally, they use unique identification codes rather than names, which the robot uses to access personalised learning data. This allows the AI to provide tailored support based on a student's past interactions and specific curriculum needs.

Program Goals and Oversight

The initiative is housed within the district’s Woz ED STEM Pathway, a curriculum program established by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. District officials emphasise that the robot is intended to supplement, not supplant, human educators. “This partnership gives all students controlled, equitable access to safe and powerful AI resources while fostering learning — not replacing it,” said district Superintendent Mark Beehler. To address privacy and safety concerns, the district has stated that the robot does not record video or audio, does not use facial recognition, and does not transmit data to the manufacturer. Furthermore, the AI is trained exclusively on district-approved curriculum, with "education-specific safety guardrails" designed to keep conversations focused on academic topics.

A Landmark Moment or Unsettling Trend?

The deployment has drawn significant attention due to Realbotix’s background; the company was formerly known as Tokens.com and is the parent company of a firm that manufactures hyperrealistic humanoid s*x dolls. Some critics and tech watchdogs have expressed scepticism regarding the appropriateness of such technology in a school setting, warning that AI could potentially exacerbate biases or be used as a cost-cutting replacement for human teachers in underserved districts. 1X Neo Humanoid Robot Showcases AI-Powered Hands for Household Tasks; Video Goes Viral.

Salamanca, which is located on the Seneca Nation of Indians Reservation, serves a student body where nearly 80 per cent of students are economically disadvantaged. Despite the scrutiny, Realbotix CEO Andrew Kiguel has framed the pilot as a turning point. “This deployment in a working school district represents a landmark moment for both AI and humanoid robotics,” Kiguel stated. “Salamanca marks the beginning of a new era where humanoid robots and intelligent AI assistants become standard tools in STEM education," he added. The district plans to expand the pilot to approximately 500 high school students in the coming semester, with ongoing feedback guiding the future of the program.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 19, 2026 11:16 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).