VIRTUAL REALITY: Devon Carrow's life-threatening allergies don't allow him to go to school. But a 4-foot-tall robot with a wireless video hookup gives him the school experience remotely, allowing him to participate in class, stroll through the hallways and hang out at recess.

SIT NEXT TO ME, ROBOT: The class of 7-year-olds raised on video games, avatars and remote-controlled toys don't see a robot. They see Devon. That he isn't actually there is barely acknowledged.

THE VGO: The machine is shaped a little like a chess pawn and has appeared in a Verizon television ad.