If your child is unable to attend school due to illness or injury, it is important that they do not lose touch with their lessons and everyday social life. The Privatar project offers a solution.

We are looking for participants:

We are currently looking for students who are unable to attend school in person. We would like to conduct a study to investigate how the PRIVATAR robot enriches everyday school life while protecting everyone's privacy. With our robot, your child will once again have the opportunity to participate in some lessons and interact with school friends - whether from the hospital or from home.

Interested? Feel free to get in touch with us!
Please use the form below to contact us.
Alternatively, you can find our contact details further down this page.

Privatar is a telepresence robot that enables sick children to participate in lessons without being physically present at school. The robot transmits the situation in the classroom and allows the child to actively participate in lessons, ask questions, and interact with classmates.

The research project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space through the “Privatheit” platform.

Will my family incur additional costs?

No, both the robot and the tablet used to control the robot for participation in class are provided by the research group.

How does the study work? What happens when?

Preparation for the study: We hold discussions with parents, teachers, and other stakeholders to organize the study.
One week before the study: We bring the robot to the school and set it up so that it can be used (e.g., internet access). The robot then remains in the classroom where it is to be used.
Start of school: We visit the school and the sick child. We demonstrate how the robot can be used and ask the class for their first impressions. If possible, we attend parts of the lessons to observe the situation.
Every two weeks during the study: We visit the school and the sick child by prior appointment. We ask the child, the class, and the teachers for their impressions for 10-15 minutes. If possible, we give everyone a short questionnaire and also remain present during parts of the lesson to observe the situation.
At any time: We answer questions and solve technical problems.

How is the robot integrated into the school?

The robot is delivered to the school and configured by our experts. Our employees work closely with teachers to ensure that the robot is smoothly integrated into the classroom.

How is my child's privacy protected?

We take the protection of your children very seriously. The robot is designed to ensure privacy and data protection. If your child does not want to be seen due to injuries or other reasons, an avatar can be selected to cover their face. All data is transmitted in encrypted form and is only accessible to authorized persons.

How do teachers, students and parents communicate?

We offer regular meetings and conference calls to ensure that everyone involved is on the same page. Our employees are also available by email and phone to answer questions and address concerns.

How can we participate in the project?

Our staff are available by email and phone to answer any questions or concerns you may have. You can send us your message and email address directly using the contact form below. We will then get in touch with you. Further contact details can be found at the bottom of this page.

How long would the study run?

That depends on each child's individual situation. We would be happy to discuss a suitable schedule with you. The study is expected to last between 8 and 12 weeks.

How does my child operate the robot?

The robot is easy to operate and can be controlled remotely by your child. Your child can either control the robot manually or select predefined positions for it to move to automatically. Built-in safety mechanisms prevent collisions, allowing your child to guide the robot safely around the room without bumping into objects or other children.

Anything unclear or further questions?

You can contact us at any time to clarify any questions you may have. You can send us your message and email address directly using the contact form below. We will then get in touch with you. Further contact details can be found at the bottom of this page.

You can reach us by phone or email. If necessary, we will of course also arrange a personal meeting.

Room LF 289
Email: melik.oezcelik@uni-due.de
Phone: +49 203 379 1420
(Mon–Fri, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.)