A New York school district has temporarily suspended its plans to introduce a humanoid robot into its high school, following significant opposition from educators and local community members. The Salamanca City Central school district announced on 24 July that the pilot project with Toronto-based technology firm Realbotix would be put on hold. This pause will allow the district to address concerns, particularly regarding student data privacy agreements with the New York State Education Department, and to continue dialogue with stakeholders.
The initiative, which would have seen a humanoid robot named Sally deployed at Salamanca High School, drew widespread criticism. Realbotix had previously stated in June that the approximately £45,000 robot, featuring silicone skin and brown hair, was designed to foster engaging, hands-on learning through natural conversation, facial expressions, and real-time interaction. The company aimed for the robot to boost student participation and provide early exposure to cutting-edge technologies.
However, the project faced strong condemnation, notably from the New York State United Teachers union. Its president, Melinda Person, issued a statement on 23 July, asserting that a robot from a company associated with sex doll manufacturing had no place in classrooms. Person emphasised that students require genuine connections with caring adults, not robots, to thrive and discover their potential. Realbotix had acquired Simulacra, a Las Vegas company that produces sex dolls, just over two years before the announcement of the pilot's suspension.
Lacey Pihlblad, president of the Salamanca Teachers’ Association and a teacher at the high school, echoed these concerns, highlighting worries about Realbotix's background and the security of the software, including how data would be gathered, stored, and recorded. Further ethical questions were raised by other educators regarding the choice of Salamanca High School for this pilot, given its large Native American student population. Sierra May Abrams, a substitute teacher at the school, referenced the historical trauma of Native American boarding schools, questioning why this particular community was again chosen for such an experiment.
In response to the district's decision, Andrew Kiguel, CEO of Realbotix, indicated that the company fully respected the school's choice and encouraged thorough due diligence. He reiterated the company's desire for the programme to be demonstrably safe, fully approved by the district, and strongly supported by teachers, stressing that the robot is intended as a supportive tool for educators and students, not a replacement.