AiCo: Toddler optimised educational robot for early English learning

Project acronym:

E115708 – AiCo

Programme:

Eurostars-2

Duration:

1 November 2021 – 31 October 2023

Total project budget:

€1,988,943.75

Funding support for 7bulls.com:

€420,543.75

CONTEXT AND CHALLENGE

Early language learning for toddlers increasingly requires solutions that go beyond traditional, screen-based tools. At ages 1-4, language acquisition is closely linked to natural curiosity, interaction, and social engagement, creating a need for learning environments that can respond to children in real time.

AiCo was developed to address this need by supporting English as a Foreign Language learning for toddlers through interactive robotics. The project applies the Helen Doron methodology and curiosity-driven artificial intelligence to enable natural, personalised learning experiences, supported by real-time, multimodal interaction that allows the robot to respond dynamically to the child’s behaviour.

See results and impact

Project objective

The objective of the AiCo project was to develop an educational robot designed specifically for toddlers aged 1-4 that supports learning English as a Foreign Language through natural interaction. The project aimed to automate the Helen Doron methodology by combining social robotics with artificial intelligence and real-time gesture, speech, and vision processing, enabling personalised learning experiences adapted to early childhood development.

Scope and approach

AiCo was developed as a Eurostars-2 R&D project carried out jointly by Curiosity Robotics and 7bulls.com between 2021 and 2023. The project focused on building an educational robot for toddlers aged 1-4 that combines social robotics with artificial intelligence and real-time interaction.

The platform integrates curiosity-based machine learning algorithms, real-time gesture, speech, and vision processing, and a phygital learning environment that connects physical play with interactive digital content. The platform architecture and supporting cloud infrastructure were designed to enable safe, autonomous operation and compliance with data protection requirements.

Industrial Research

Research focus

AiCo’s approach to personalisation is based on machine learning models, including the Curiosity Loop, Bayesian inference, and reinforcement learning. The system relies on real-time processing of gesture, speech, and vision data to support interaction between the toddler, the robot, and the learning environment.

The platform applies real-time video and voice processing to enable responsive behaviour, with data flows designed to meet GDPR requirements.

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Development

AiCo was developed jointly by Curiosity Robotics and 7bulls.com. 7bulls.com led the development of system architecture, cloud services, real-time video and voice processing modules, and GDPR-compliant data flows, supporting safe, efficient, and autonomous operation of the platform.

Results and impact

The AiCo project resulted in an educational robot designed specifically for toddlers aged 1-4, supporting English as a Foreign Language learning through interactive, curiosity-driven engagement. The platform demonstrates how social robotics, machine learning, and real-time interaction can be combined to enable personalised early learning experiences aligned with established pedagogy.

As a screen-light alternative to traditional EFL tools, AiCo reflects current research in early childhood learning and provides a practical application of advanced robotics and AI in educational contexts, while ensuring safe and compliant system operation.

Partners: Curiosity Robotics (Israel), 7bulls.com (Poland)

Co-financed by: The National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) under the Eurostars-2 programme

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