A robot best [3] known for its appearance in widespread commercials is making life for one elementary school student just a little easier. As the Associated Press reported [4], Devon Carrow has used "VGo," a white skinny robot, to be able to attend elementary school in West Seneca, N.Y. The second grader is unable to physically attend school because he suffers from severe allergies where a brush with peanuts, milk or other allergy-inducers could send him immediately into anaphylactic shock syndrome. He also suffers from eosinophilic esophagitis.

But using the robot, Devon can interact with his classmates and learn--just like other students. As his teacher told the AP: ""We don't treat him any differently," Voelker said. "He still has to turn in his homework. He still has to have his mother sign notebooks. He still has a job in this classroom--he's the greeter. And he still has to pay attention--although there's times I look and he's off, the cat's coming in the room."

Fast Company wrote about VGo in 2010 [5] when it was first introduced and about how hospitals are using it in 2012. [6]