The coronavirus pandemic may have brought upside down in everyone’s lives and “born” problems and needs, but through the needs, innovative ideas emerged.
One of them is ZOIVOT: The robot that protects children by helping them keep their distance and at the same time introduces them to computer science and robotics. This is an idea that was inspired and we assisted in its implementation, with the help of CERTH (National Center for Research & Technological Development), the president of the Association of Parents and Guardians of the Municipality of Chalkidona, Stella Valsamaki. The robot, in fact, started its journey today, from the 2nd Primary School of Koufalia.
“Today and, for the first time in our lives, we presented ZOIVOT to children. Enthusiasm abounded from young and old, the children responded with great joy and we felt that the effort was worth it. The questions of everyone to the CERTH researcher who was at the spot were stormy and really, we received a lot of positive messages “, emphasizes in GRTimes the inspirer of ZOIVOT, Stella Valsamaki, with the Vice-Regional Minister of Digital Policy, Angelos Charisteas, who was in her first “Zois”, to underline in the same GRTIMES that there was too much very interesting and enthusiastic from the children, who need change and new things. “
Regarding the beginning of ZOIVOT’s trip, Stella Valsamaki notes that, “Helpers in our effort were the Region of Central Macedonia, Angelos Charisteas and of course Apostolos Tzitzikostas, while next to us was the Deputy Minister of Education, Zeta Makri. Thessaloniki MP, Theodoros Karaoglou, who were present at our first online presentation, on 12/14/2021 “.
As Mr. Charisteas also noted, “I am close to this effort because I really like that there are people who take action and want to go one step further. As Deputy Regional Head of Digital Policy, what I can say is that we will try to create a company for “Zoi”, that is, to create other LIFE. The people of CERTH have done a fantastic job and I am glad to be contributing to this effort. The aim is to find financial tools, so that there are other robots that can travel to all schools. “
In addition, and according to what Ms. Valsamaki mentions, the effort would not have reached this point without the Eugenidou Foundation, “which financed our energy, while the cooperation with our association over the years is good.”
The pandemic was an important factor – ZOIVOT’s goal to reach all of Greece
The days of the pandemic proved to be decisive for the creation of ZOIVOT, which is reflected in the phrase of Mrs. Valsamaki, who notes that “the idea was born since the pandemic started, which was an important factor for us and helped us.” .
As for the name of the innovative robot now, its inspirer emphasizes in GRTimes that “the name LIFE comes from life, which is the most valuable commodity. “And he was born to be able to cope with all the difficulties, to bring joy to life but also the appropriate messages to our children, such as to protect their lives by keeping their distance during the days of the pandemic.”
Regarding the spread of ZOIVOT, Ms. Valsamaki emphasizes that the goal is for the robot to reach all of Greece. “In this context, we want to discuss with the Municipality of Thessaloniki and reach the entire Prefecture in order to disseminate energy.” Mr. Charisteas, for his part, announced that “the goal of the Region of Central Macedonia is for the robot to visit as many children as possible and to see the relationship that education can have with robotics”.
As the inspirer of ZOIVOT herself says, “already in the near future we have planned more than 40 visits to schools in Central Macedonia that have shown interest, while until at the end of the school season we will also visit Athens “. In addition, Ms. Valsamaki states that from next school season, the robot that creates safe distances between children, will continue its journey throughout Greece.
After all, as the president of the Association of Parents and Guardians of the Municipality of Chalkidona emphasizes, “everything is now done digitally and we can not stay behind. “As parents, we need to give our children all the tools they need to become familiar with technology as much as possible.”
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I have over 8 years of experience in the news industry. I have worked for various news websites and have also written for a few news agencies. I mostly cover healthcare news, but I am also interested in other topics such as politics, business, and entertainment. In my free time, I enjoy writing fiction and spending time with my family and friends.
