Swiss Nursery Uses Robot Nao to Teach Kids

Sat in a circle on the nursery floor, a group of Swiss three-year-olds ask a robot called Nao questions about giraffes and broccoli.

By the time these children become adults, interacting with robots may well be as commonplace as using a smartphone, experts believe.

So one Lausanne creche has decided to give them a head start.

Nao has been a regular visitor at the Nanosphere nursery on the campus of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology university since the New Year. He is what is called an "interactive learning companion" rather than a substitute teacher.

As the children were dropped off, Nao -- who is only 58 centimeters tall -- stood on a bench to greet them at eye level.

"Hello, my name is Nao. I'm happy to be at the Nanosphere today," he said, in a child-like high-pitched voice.

"I left my planet some time ago to come and meet you. I look forward to getting to know you and being able to talk with you in the weeks ahead."

Some children walked straight past, some waved, pointed, touched his hand or simply gazed at him transfixed.

The first Nao robots hit the market in 2008. Now in generation six, the brand is owned by the Germany-based United Robotics Group and more than 15,000 units have been sold.

The plan is for Nao to spend several years in the Educalis nurseries as his capacities expand.

L'Eplattenier said the children are thrilled when Nao turns up, and have bonded with their diminutive friend.

"They are curious to see what he will say, what he will do," she said.

He's a companion with little tips and bits of advice. "I think he will quickly position himself as the little know-it-all of the group."

As for the parents, they too are keen to see how Nao will settle in.