A 14 year-old boy who is unable to leave his house due to multiple health issues has been able to meet some of his favourite football players (and watch a game) by controlling a robot that was carried out onto the pitch.
Jack McLinden, a fan of Everton (in Englandās Premier League), lives just two miles away from the teamās home ground of Goodison Park. But heās never been able to attend a game, because his need for a constant oxygen supply prevents him from travelling.
Asthe BBC reports, though, a Norwegian company called No Isolation was able to help. Theyāve created a robot called AV1, which was primarily designed so that sick children could still receive a regular school education by having the robot present in class, beaming everything it could see and hear back to the kid at home while also allowing kids to interact with classmates using lights and a microphone.
Working with British charity WellChild, an AV1 was present at Evertonās game against Newcastle earlier today. With basic controls operated by Jack at home, the robot was carried out onto the field at the beginning of the game to soak up the atmosphere, and Jack was also able to meet and speak with some of his Everton heroes.
He even got to attend the post-match press conference, sitting alongside manager Sam Allardyce.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG4OmQdc3zI
Everton won the game 1-0.
