Overview

K8 For Kids wanted to embrace future technology and connect on a more personable level with the students involved in the K8 program. We helped them bring their star personality to life through a combination of technology and imagination. The result was a robot with as much sparkle and life as the artificial intelligence housed within it. Along the way we learned a great deal about what makes us individuals and how to fuse personality with body language. 

Increase in Participants

53%

New Students Enrolled

2430

Revenue 

Increase

$500K

Kids Choosing  Careers in AI

45

The Challenge

K8 For Kids created a winning personality in the form of K8, a learning program built on artificial intelligence that introduces kids to the possibilities in this field of computer science. Originally kids interacted with K8 through a series of programming commands done through typing on a keyboard. But as technology improved and robots became more commonplace, K8 was losing her touch. Voice-controlled robots can communicate through a combination of language, intonation and body language and without these skills, K8 was less effective and kids weren't as connected with her. Within twelve months, interest in the K8 program began to wane and schools began dropping K8 from their programming. It was time for a big change. 

The Approach

We did a comprehensive study and interviewed over 3500 students to get feedback on how K8 faired in comparison to other AI programs. We quickly discovered that there was a serious communication problem between K8 and the kids in the program. Only 7% of human communication is done through written language, so with only typed commands to guide her, K8 was at a serious disadvantage.  

"The most fascinating thing I learned was how little human communication relies on words."

- Bob Bauer: Founder, ROBOTICS 

The Solution

Our first thought was that we needed to somehow give K8 the ability to utilize the 93% of communication skills that she was missing. We decided to give her an articulated body and voice that would allow her to express herself in a more personable manner. Not only would K8 be able to communicate, but having form also allowed her to to explore her surroundings and interact in a manner more natural to actual human conversation. 

We chose a design that mimicked the proportions of an six-year old child. not only was this better for overall mobility, but it also allowed us to give K8 a form that would be friendly to children. Our research showed us that kids respond more favorable to someone that is close to their own size. 

In June, 2017, we introduced K8 to the Menlow Park Elementary School Science Fair. The next month, we showcased K8 at the Pacific Northwest Teachers Conference.  

Best Educational Startup - 2018

Tech Investors Weekly 

2018 Educational Excellence Award 

PNW Teachers Assoc.

Best Company

to Work For - 2018"

Glassdoor

"100 Companies to Watch: 2018"

Gizmodo: 12/2/2017

"K8 brings new life to AI education" 

Fast Company: 6/2018 

About Robotics

Robotics was built upon the dream of our founder Bob Bauer. We were inspired by people who can achieve big things with such limited resources and opportunity. Our friends and family supported the cause. And we are here today, humans and robots working together.