A robot, a trained team, and a classroom that began to include
The SESI School of São Gonçalo do Amarante integrated a NAO V6 humanoid into its daily pedagogical routine — transforming it into an inclusion tool for neurodivergent students. Supply and training provided by Somai.
From educational robotics to interaction
The SESI School of São Gonçalo do Amarante was already working with educational robotics. The next step wasn't just another kit: it was a platform capable of interacting with students — speaking, gesturing, recognizing, responding.
There was a specific demand behind the decision. Neurodivergent students — with autism, ADHD, and other conditions — need a context where they can practice social skills without the pressure of judgment. A humanoid robot creates exactly that context: predictable, patient, and infinitely repeatable.
21st-century education, with technology in the daily routine
"The institution is committed to offering an education that prepares students for the challenges of the 21st century — and using NAO in the classroom is an important step to engage and inspire them to become informed and innovative citizens."
Anderson Vieira — Unit Manager, SESI School, SESI/RNSupply and training before use with students
NAO V6 Supply
Somai is the exclusive distributor of NAO in Brazil. The unit acquired by the SESI School of São Gonçalo do Amarante came through this channel.
Team Training
Before using the robot with students, the school trained its professionals to operate it in a pedagogical setting: introduction to educational robotics, interactive activities, curriculum alignment, and the construction of meaningful learning experiences.
Application in STEAM and computational thinking
NAO is used in teaching science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, and in developing computational thinking and problem-solving skills.
Ongoing support
Unique equipment in daily operation requires close maintenance. Without it, a stationary robot is a stalled investment.
Three professionals from the unit participated in the training — Jéssica Martins, Josinaldo Araújo, and Mateus Zeca.
The classroom that began to include
The strongest use wasn't what was envisioned in the catalog. The school combined the humanoid with building blocks to redesign the learning experience for students with autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent conditions.
"The robot creates a judgment-free and anxiety-free learning environment where students practice social and emotional skills safely and accessibly — with an interactive and personalized approach to supporting academic and social development."
Ana Karenine Medina — Education Manager, SESI/RNAnd proof that the training stuck: the same teacher who went through the training is describing the classroom results.
"The integration of the humanoid with the blocks was fundamental for the success of neurodivergent students — the tools help develop academic skills and promote inclusion and self-confidence."
Mateus Zeca — Technology Workshop Teacher, SESI/RNFour factors that made a difference
| Team training before use with students | Prevented the robot from being shelved due to teacher insecurity. |
| Curriculum alignment from the start of training | Prevented isolated activities without a place in the planning. |
| Application in inclusive education | Prevented use restricted to demonstrations and parent visits. |
| Continuity of the same team over the years | Prevented knowledge loss during the first teacher changeover. |
From a single unit to a replicable model
One NAO unit in operation, with a trained team, is the foundation for scaling: replicating the model in other units within the network and expanding what the robot does — including the conversational artificial intelligence layer that Somai is currently developing to modernize already installed robots, without equipment replacement.
For a network that has already proven the concept in one school, the next step is low-risk and high-return.
Those living the project at SESI/RN
Administrators and teachers from the unit who integrated the humanoid robot into the school's routine.
The project in numbers and facts
| Institution | SESI Rio Grande do Norte — FIERN System |
| Unit | SESI School of São Gonçalo do Amarante |
| Equipment | NAO V6 — humanoid robot |
| Somai Deliverables | Supply and training of unit professionals |
| Applications | Educational robotics, STEAM, computational thinking, and inclusive education |
| Public | Basic education, with a focus on neuroatypical students |
Sources: SESI/RN — "SESI Escola RN investe na utilização de robô NAO em atividades educacionais" (SESI School RN invests in the use of NAO robot in educational activities) and "Robôs humanoides e Lego transformam experiência de aprendizado para alunos neuroatípicos na Escola SESI" (Humanoid robots and Lego transform the learning experience for neuroatypical students at SESI School).
Technology integrated into education since 1990
In the market since 1990, Somai specializes in integrating new technologies into education. Technical-pedagogical excellence is supported by a multidisciplinary team of pedagogues, teachers, psychologists, graphic designers, administrators, programmers, and technicians, who work to deliver high-impact educational technology solutions.
More than 35 years, 2,500 schools served, 25,000 educators involved, and 2.1 million students impacted.
What Somai implemented
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One school. One robot. A team that knew how to use it.
Somai EdTech
Somai supplies, trains, and maintains the largest base of educational humanoid robots in Brazil — and transforms equipment into a pedagogical practice that the school sustains independently.