Robots Help US Students Take Part in Graduation Ceremony
2020-05-12
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1Juili Kale was looking forward to receiving her master's degree at Arizona State University.
2She planned to invite her family living in India, to the United States for her graduation ceremony.
3But then, in March, the coronavirus pandemic ended those plans as schools nationwide closed to stop the spread.
4Kale's dream of spending time with family members on her big day came crashing down.
5Yet the graduation ceremony is taking place -- just not as she expected.
6University officials have turned to robots so Arizona State graduates and their families can take part in the event online.
7Cameras recorded images of Kale and about 140 other graduates online this month.
8They were wearing robes and mortar board caps.
9They took turns moving a robot at the university that held an eye-level display showing their face.
10With the help of the robot, they stepped forward to receive their diplomas and take pictures.
11The robots are from Double Robotics, a company based in Burlingame, California.
12Before the health crisis, they had been used to help people attend funerals and even marriage ceremonies without traveling.
13Sanjeev Khagram is dean of Arizona State's Thunderbird School of Global Management.
14He told the Reuters news agency the video - a "bittersweet" experience - was recorded and produced over two days.
15It may not have been ideal for the students, Khagram admitted.
16But, "we want to show that we did everything that we could to celebrate them."
17Kale planned to throw a 'watch party' with her husband at home and her family in India.
18Getting used to the online experience was easy for Nancy Sierras Morales.
19"We have been able to adapt very quickly because we are used to being on a computer and on the phone almost like 24/7," the 22-year-old said.
20She said that, while it is not the best, it is "cool...to be like the first class ever to do this."
21When the crisis is over, the class of 2020 can do a real-life walk at any future graduation ceremony they choose.
22"I'm disappointed...," said 41-year-old Douglas Northcott.
23He is graduating with a master's degree in applied leadership and management.
24He called the online event with robots "creative."
25But he looked forward to the real thing.
26"And if anything, that makes it better, in that [it] is spread over two times rather than one."
27I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.
1Juili Kale was looking forward to receiving her master's degree at Arizona State University. She planned to invite her family living in India, to the United States for her graduation ceremony. 2But then, in March, the coronavirus pandemic ended those plans as schools nationwide closed to stop the spread. Kale's dream of spending time with family members on her big day came crashing down. Yet the graduation ceremony is taking place -- just not as she expected. 3University officials have turned to robots so Arizona State graduates and their families can take part in the event online. 4Cameras recorded images of Kale and about 140 other graduates online this month. They were wearing robes and mortar board caps. They took turns moving a robot at the university that held an eye-level display showing their face. With the help of the robot, they stepped forward to receive their diplomas and take pictures. 5The robots are from Double Robotics, a company based in Burlingame, California. Before the health crisis, they had been used to help people attend funerals and even marriage ceremonies without traveling. 6Sanjeev Khagram is dean of Arizona State's Thunderbird School of Global Management. He told the Reuters news agency the video - a "bittersweet" experience - was recorded and produced over two days. It may not have been ideal for the students, Khagram admitted. But, "we want to show that we did everything that we could to celebrate them." 7Kale planned to throw a 'watch party' with her husband at home and her family in India. 8Getting used to the online experience was easy for Nancy Sierras Morales. 9"We have been able to adapt very quickly because we are used to being on a computer and on the phone almost like 24/7," the 22-year-old said. She said that, while it is not the best, it is "cool...to be like the first class ever to do this." 10When the crisis is over, the class of 2020 can do a real-life walk at any future graduation ceremony they choose. 11"I'm disappointed...," said 41-year-old Douglas Northcott. He is graduating with a master's degree in applied leadership and management. He called the online event with robots "creative." But he looked forward to the real thing. 12"And if anything, that makes it better, in that [it] is spread over two times rather than one." 13I'm Mario Ritter, Jr. 14Jane Ross reported this story for Reuters news agency. Mario Ritter Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 15________________________________________________________________ 16Words in This Story 17diploma - n. a document showing that a person has finished their studies at a school 18pandemic - n. a disease that has spread over a wide area and affects many people 19master's degree - n. recognition given to a student usually after one or two years of study after a four-year college degree 20graduation - n. a ceremony at which those completing study programs are recognized 21display - n. a performance or show 22mortar board cap(s) - n. a special kind of hat that is flat on the top and worn by people graduating from high school or college 23dean - n. the head of a college or school 24adapt - v. to change to meet the requirements of a new situation or condition 2524/7 - n. short for 24 hours day, seven days a week 26disappoint - v. to fail to meet the hopes or expectations of someone