ROBOTS PAY VISIT TO SIMI SCHOOL; PUPILS SEE APPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY.

Byline: Angela Randazzo Staff Writer

``Old MacDonald had a robot,'' sang Hero Junior, a robot with a mechanical voice, to the children at Township Elementary School.

And as the new millennium approaches, he might just be right.

Hero Junior was one of five robots visiting the school during a series of morning assemblies Thursday, and the students enjoyed the futuristic guests.

``They're cool,'' said Ryan Malcolm, 7, a second-grader. ``They look like they're in `Star Wars.' ''

The robots were part of ``Our World of Robotics'' presented by Tom Swenson of Mobile Ed Productions, who tours around the country demonstrating the wonders of robots.

He explained the differences between the contraptions, such as a toy, guided by a remote control, and a true robot.

``A robot is a machine that does human things on its own,'' said Swenson. ``Robots have a computer for a brain.''

Swenson showed the students some of the features his robot pals were capable of performing.

First up was R.C., a remote-controlled robot that resembles a domed trash can and has a heart of blinking red lights on its front panel. Although R.C. lacked a computerized brain to answer, students had a lot of questions about the workings of what could have passed for R2D2's cousin.

``The students know what questions to ask about robots,'' said Dolores Pekrul, Township principal. ``With all the video games and movies like `Star Wars,' sometimes they're more knowledgeable than the adults.''

A prototype robotic arm named XR demonstrated its abilities, which could be used in a factory setting for certain types of work. XR showed its lighter side by picking up signs in answer to Swenson's questions and taking a pen out of his pocket.

``Learning about robots is part of our social studies work,'' said Connie Hopkins, first- and second-grade teacher. ``In first grade, students learn how robots are used to make cars.''

A robot called Hero 2000 may be a long way from Robby the Robot, but it is equipped with a voice, full range of movement, an on-board computer brain and robotic arm.

The $6,000 device moved across the stage, picked up a can of soda and delivered it to one of the pupils on stage. Perhaps adding a broom or a mop is not so far away, as second-grader Chelsea Anderson envisions.

``I like robots,'' said Chelsea, 6. ``They can do stuff for you like clean your room.''

The finale belonged to Max Steele, a friendly toy robot with two ``arms'' and two red lights for eyes that at 3 feet high looked like a child's toy.

``It's important that students get ready for a technology-based world,'' said Swenson. ``That's why the math, science and computer skills they're learning now are so important.''

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Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color in Simi edition only) Township Elementary School pupil Casey Anderson, 5, left, lets out a laugh during the robotics presentation Thursday by Tom Swenson of Mobile Ed Productions. Swenson, below, reacts quizzically to a robotic arm taking a pen from his pocket during his demonstration of the wonders of robots.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer