Penn State Students Attend Class via Robot

A new technology pilot program at Pennsylvania State University enables students to attend and participate in class without ever stepping inside the classroom.

Source: Suitable Technologies.

The research institution is piloting the BeamPro Smart Presence System from Suitable Technologies, which allows students to be present through a robot that can be remotely operated via computer application. Users can steer the BeamPro robots inside or outside of the classroom – they can even command the robot to take an elevator to another floor or travel around campus.

All this is accomplished through BeamPro’s key features: two wide-angle cameras; a 6-microphone array that eliminates echo and reduces background noise; a 17” 4:3 LCD screen; and a built-in speaker. The robot can travel as fast as 2 mph and can connect to the internet through two dual-band radios or an optional 4G card.

The pilot program is being run through Penn State’s Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT) office. In the last year and a half, TLT has used the technology to virtually bring international artists to speak to students; provide tours around the campus during a regional conference; connect students to academic advisers; and engage youth in robotics through a summer outreach program, to name a few examples.

As of now, Penn State News reports, TLT is working out long-term plans for the robots, including research on the various ways that robots can be used in education.

To learn more about the ways that TLT is using the BeamPro robots, visit the Penn State News site.

About the Author

Sri Ravipati is Web producer for THE Journal and Campus Technology. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • semi-transparent AI brain with circuit elements under a microscope

    Anthropic Develops AI 'Microscope' to Reveal the Hidden Mechanics of LLM Thought

    Anthropic has unveiled new research tools designed to provide a rare glimpse into the hidden reasoning processes of advanced language models — like a "microscope" for AI.

  • modern college building with circuit and brain motifs

    Anthropic Launches Claude for Education

    Anthropic has announced a version of its Claude AI assistant tailored for higher education institutions. Claude for Education "gives academic institutions secure, reliable AI access for their entire community," the company said, to enable colleges and universities to develop and implement AI-enabled approaches across teaching, learning, and administration.

  • abstract AI pattern

    Meta Forms 'Superintelligence Group' to Pursue Artificial General Intelligence

    Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is assembling a new team focused on achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), amid internal dissatisfaction with the performance of its current AI offerings. The team, known internally as the superintelligence group, is part of a broader effort to enhance Meta’s AI capabilities.

  • The AI Show

    Register for Free to Attend the World's Greatest Show for All Things AI in EDU

    The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, held April 5–7, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, is a free event designed to help educators, students, and parents navigate AI's role in education. Featuring hands-on workshops, AI-powered networking, live demos from 125+ EdTech exhibitors, and keynote speakers like Colin Kaepernick and Stevie Van Zandt, the event offers practical insights into AI-driven teaching, learning, and career opportunities. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to integrate AI into classrooms while exploring innovations that promote equity, accessibility, and student success.