AFP World Academic Archive

SCRIPT:

In this Moscow school, Stepan stands out. Like the other students, he's learning English; but unlike the others, he's a robot.

Controlling the robot is the real Stepan, a young boy suffering from Leukemia. Since contracting the disease two years ago, he's been unable to leave the house, and takes part in classes through the eyes of the robot.

SOUNDBITE 1 - Stepan Sopin, Leukemia patient (Russian, 12 secs):
"I can change the speed, go slowly or quickly. I can move the head to look to the left or right. So I feel like I'm really in the classroom."

The machine 's equipped with a webcam, a microphone and speakers... so Stepan can even make his own voice heard.

Upsound, Stepan Sopin (English, 2 secs):
"English is spoken in Africa."

For his Mother, the most important thing - even above the lessons themselves - is maintaining a link with the outside world.

SOUNDBITE 2 - Nina sopina, Stepan's Mother (Russian, 9 secs):
"The children in the classroom have fun, they mess around and communicate. This way, Stepan can join in. He misses out on the normal life of a little boy."

As for Stepan the robot, it's one of the first of its kind - and the Russian firm which built it hopes to take the concept further.

SOUNDBITE 3 - Vyatcheslav Kravtsov, Project coordinator, RBOT (Russian, 10 secs):
"You can use it in several aspects of life. Firstly, we hope to develop it in the social sector - in other words in education, health and for work by handicapped people. There are many disabled people in our country and they need help."

At 3000 dollars, the robot doesn't come cheap, especially for people receiving meagre disability benefits. And without state funding, it's not certain that the concept is commercially viable.

For Stepan though it is a vital tool. But despite the technical wizardry of his robotic partner, there's no substitute for the real thing. He's still hoping to be back in class as soon as he's well enough.

SHOTLIST:

MOSCOW, Russia, 22 December 2010 (Source: AFPTV)

-Pan across Moscow school classroom to show robot.
-CU of robot attending class with screen showing Stepan Sopin.
-Teacher directing class as robot watches on.
-CU of Stepan on screen.
-CU of Stepan in his bedroom at home; Stepan waving at camera.
-WS of Stepan in front of computer at desk in his home.
-CU of Stepan's eyes, his face partly covered by a surgical mask.
-SOUND 1, Stepan Sopin, leukemia patient.
-OLAY view of classroom through computer screen.
-OLAY CU of Stepan's hands at computer keyboard.
-Robot's head with pupil in background in Moscow classroom.
-Teacher directing class as robot watches on.
-CU of Stepan on screen with upsound "English is spoken in Africa".
-Stepan's mother Nina enters Stepan's room.
-SOUND 2, Nina Sopina, Stepan's mother.
-Robot moves through school corridoor, accompanied by Vyatcheslav Kravtsov, Project Co-ordinator, RBOT.
-CU of Vyatcheslav Kravtsov in school corridoor.
-Robot enters classroom from corridoor.
-SOUND 3, Vyatcheslav Kravtsov, Project Co-ordinator, RBOT.
-OLAY of Stepan at computer.
-Vars of robot leaving class and moving down corridoor with pupils watching.
-Stepan at computer observing classroom.
-Stepan drawing at desk with green pen.
-CU of Stepan drawing.
-CU of whiteboard that Stepan is writing on.

Extra rushes:

-CU of computer screen over Stepan's shoulder, with blackboard on screen.
-Pan from robot screen in classroom to students in class with robot.
-Vars mids of robot in class with other students.
-CU of Stepan on robot screen, waving.
-Mid of robot in class.
-WS of Stepan in his room at home.
-CU of Stepan at home.