Social robots for education: a global analysis of deployments in real scenarios

Abstract

Social robots are specifically designed to interact with humans by engaging in social behaviors. In education, these machines are progressively adopted to support learning processes. Despite this trend, there is a lack of research that maps the implementation of social robots for education in real settings. To address this gap, we used a documentary research method to identify and classify cases of social robot deployments in educational contexts worldwide. In total, we traced back and analyzed 206 cases of social robots deployed in 28 countries, involving 43 different robot models. These robots were identified in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, universities, and occupational therapy centers, among other institutions. The most prevalent functions of these robots are edutainment, entertainment, teaching programming skills, and offering psychological support. This study provides a comprehensive overview of social robots’ current applications in the educational sector, with implications for future adoption.