Language is the lifeblood of culture and identity. Yet, across the United States, hundreds of Indigenous languages are already extinct, and current estimates suggest a future where only 20 might remain by 2050. This crisis hits close to home for SkoBots founder, Danielle Boyer, a member of the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Her ancestral language, Anishinaabemowin, is critically endangered.
The challenge of preserving Indigenous cultures and identities is critical. Resources for language revitalisation are dwindling and often hard to access. The SkoBots initiative is a direct response to this issue.
Technology built with community, not for profit
SkoBots is a community-led, interactive and wearable educational robot designed specifically to teach traditional languages to children. The project, led by Boyer and The STEAM Connection, rests on a foundation of ethical engagement and accessible design principles.
The 3D-printed robot is worn on the shoulder. It responds to being approached and spoken to with speech and a flashing light via their internally developed, sustainable artificial intelligence. And, it uses language recordings from children, Elders and language experts to ensure the content is authentic.
But unlike many language organisations that have copyrighted Indigenous resources or misused information, The STEAM Connection has strict ethical protocols. The company will never own, publish or profit from language recordings. All information follows the lead and discretion of the communities they partner with to ensure trust and, vitally, cultural sovereignty in a market dominated by Big Tech and for-profit organisations.
Empowering youth through creation
As well as delivering a useful finished product, SkoBots ingenuity also revolves around the hands-on learning experience it provides users. Students from communities with Indigenous languages, for example, build the robots themselves. Via this process, they get valuable mentorship and hands-on experience in technology, engineering and maths, while also fostering a sense of ownership and connection to the tool used for cultural learning.
There are two different models. The first is a simpler, unintelligent motion-sensing model that responds to movement that costs about a hundred dollars to produce. The second is an AI model that responds to vocal commands with language instruction, which costs just over double that.
Conceptualised by Danielle Boyer Ojibwe, with support from her mentors Dr Joshuaa Allison-Burbank Diné & Acoma Pueblo and Robert Maldonado, the robot has been informed by students and community members for The STEAM Connection. Via this collaboration, all SkoBots and accompanying curricula are provided to youth through partnerships with Tribal schools and Indigenous educational institutions, completely free of charge. The robots don’t exist on the market. Instead, they take on youth initiatives on a case-by-case basis, often self-funding these efforts.
The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive
The initial release at the American Indian Science and Engineering Society 2021 Powwow proved how powerful this intersection of culture and technology could be. The reaction was immediate and exciting. Babies would show interest in the robot and children danced to the music it played. The founders are eager to point out that the robot is a supplement to community language learning, never a replacement. However, what the reaction showed was that they’d succeeded in creating a fun resource that kids can enjoy. But, more importantly, can learn from in addition to local Tribal educational programmes.
SkoBot is looking to scale. The STEAM Connection is seeking strategic partners and funding to develop a professional Printed Circuit Board, implement injection moulding to reduce production costs and bring more people onto the team for this initiative.
