Roversa Robotics LLC is an education technology company dedicated to expanding access to high-quality computer science (CS) and AI learning experiences. Our mission is to make CS and AI accessible, engaging, and sustainable for every classroom by empowering educators through a flexible learning ecosystem grounded in hands-on exploration.
Born out of a research collaboration between the University of Virginia (UVA) and Universidad del Norte (UniNorte) in Colombia, the Roversa robotics platform was developed to address persistent challenges in K–12 CS education, including limited teacher capacity, rapidly evolving technologies, and inequitable access to instructional resources. Grounded in NSF-funded research, the Roversa robot was intentionally designed as an open-source, flexible classroom tool that supports hands-on exploration and physical computing across diverse learning environments.
Building on this open foundation, Roversa is developing a comprehensive learning ecosystem through co-design with teachers piloting the Roversa robotics platform in their classrooms. While the robot provides a strong instructional anchor, the broader ecosystem is intentionally open and device-agnostic — enabling schools to integrate CS and AI learning across tools, platforms, and instructional contexts rather than relying on a single device or vendor.
Born out of a research collaboration between the University of Virginia (UVA) and Universidad del Norte (UniNorte) in Colombia, the Roversa robotics platform was developed to address persistent challenges in K–12 CS education, including limited teacher capacity, rapidly evolving technologies, and inequitable access to instructional resources. Grounded in NSF-funded research, the Roversa robot was intentionally designed as an open-source, flexible classroom tool that supports hands-on exploration and physical computing across diverse learning environments.
Building on this open foundation, Roversa is developing a comprehensive learning ecosystem through co-design with teachers piloting the Roversa robotics platform in their classrooms. While the robot provides a strong instructional anchor, the broader ecosystem is intentionally open and device-agnostic — enabling schools to integrate CS and AI learning across tools, platforms, and instructional contexts rather than relying on a single device or vendor.
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Our Mission
To make computer science and AI accessible, engaging, and sustainable for every classroom by empowering educators through a learning ecosystem built through community and hands-on exploration. |
Our Vision
To unlock every child’s potential to become a confident creator of technology through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. |
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KIM WILKENS, Co-founder and CEO
Kim Wilkens, EdD (UVA) is a long-time advocate for K–8 CS education at the local, state, national, and global level, with over 20 years of experience integrating CS in schools and out-of-school time settings. She launched and managed a range of nonprofit and educational initiatives—including Tech-Girls, Charlottesville Women in Tech, the Global Center for Equitable CS Education, and the UVA Innovation Hub lab school.
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KARIN LITTLE, COOKarin Little is a strategic education leader with 20 years experience in launching, developing and growing programs and organizations in the for-profit, nonprofit and public education sectors.
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MARIANA ARBOLEDA, Software DeveloperMariana Arboleda, PhD student (Univerdad del Norte) brings her software development and expertise with CS education research to bridge technical development and learning design to make robotics education accessible worldwide.
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SONA TOMY, Educational Experience Designer
Sona Tomy, third-year student (UVA) brings experience in CS and special education to design engaging learning materials, activity kits, and user-facing resources while coordinating Roversa’s visual media and product communications.
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CURRENT & PREVIOUS INTERNS
RESEARCHERS
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ADVISORS
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Research and development has been generously funded in part by an ITEST grant from the National Science Foundation, a Commonwealth Commercialization Fund grant from the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation with matching funds from the Licensing & Ventures Group at UVA and Global Programs of Distinction grants from UVA.