AV1 by No Isolation – The Robot Supporting Absent Students Back to the Classroom

School absence is a growing issue. When the entrepreneurs behind No Isolation began developing the AV1 classroom robot around 2015, most absences were due to physical health reasons. Today, the steep rise in mental health issues among young people has made emotionally based school non-attendance (EBSNA) a pressing concern. Regardless of the cause, the effects are the same: separation from school leads to learning gaps and a loss of social connection.

Supporting Distance Learning

The AV1 robot mitigates the effects of school absence by offering a telepresence solution that supports distance learning and smooth reintegration back into the classroom. Designed as an avatar for the student, AV1 enables real-time participation through a camera and microphone, allowing pupils to see, hear, and interact with teachers and peers. The student can rotate and move the robot, change its eye expressions, and raise their hand by flashing its head green—joining lessons without disruption.

Today, more than 4,000 AV1 units are operational across 19 European countries, supporting over 10,000 children in more than 100,000 lessons. The system is supported by a digital ecosystem that includes the AV1 App, AV1 Academy, and an admin interface.

Technical Overhaul Needed

After five years on the market, AV1 required a major technical overhaul. Despite its high-tech design, some components were approaching end-of-life. “We were reaching the end of the robot’s main processing unit,” says No Isolation CEO Morten Jørgensen. “We could only build 1,800 more before we were out of parts. We needed a redesign fast—ideally before summer 2025.”

To find the right partner, No Isolation evaluated several engineering consultancies. Having collaborated with Akkodis engineers in the company’s early stages, the team chose Akkodis for its expertise, resources, and commitment to quality—even though the bid wasn’t the cheapest. The result: the updated AV1 reached the market on time, outperforming sales expectations.

Updated Electronics All Around

“A lot has happened in electronics since 2018,” explains Akkodis project lead Henrik Kai Eriksen. Advances in battery capacity, charging, imaging, and cybersecurity all needed to be integrated into the new design. Akkodis engineers developed updated electronics, internal cabling, low-level software, and cybersecurity protocols to lay the foundation for new functionality.

The new AV1 features wide-angle high-resolution cameras, enhanced microphones, stronger processors, 4G/5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, USB-C charging, and a more powerful battery. “We built a team that mixed experienced engineers with recent graduates—combining fresh ideas with battle-tested know-how,” adds Eriksen.

Lasting Partnership

Akkodis also managed certification for the new model, ensuring compliance with the latest European cybersecurity standards coming into effect in 2025. “We wanted a competent, trustworthy partner for a long-term collaboration, and Akkodis delivered,” says Jørgensen. “We’re continuing to work together because having that trust and technical capability close at hand is invaluable.”