Sick student attends class using remote-control robot

SOUTH HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (KABC) -- While high school freshman Jeffrey Kaji is physically at home, he's able to get around his South Huntington, New York high school via a "telepresence" device, answering questions in class, even having lunch with friends in the cafeteria.

After emergency appendix surgery, Kaji planned to miss at least a week of school. But lucky -- or maybe not so lucky -- for him, his mom works for a company that has access to this high-tech solution.

"It was like he was at school, it was all the same stories, except that he was being mobbed because he's the most popular kid there," said Margie Gurwin, Kaji's mother.

"I missed a lot last week, but over the past two days I've definitely made up a lot," said Kaji.

Kaji's face appears on the robot's screen. He controls the robot from his bedroom.

"I can point and the blue lines can tell me where go to," said Kaji.

A+ Technology Solutions, the company that lent this device to Kaji, says the possibilities are endless.

"We see, long term, this can help with students who are disabled, people with physical handicaps" said Steve Cina, A+ Technology Solutions communications director. "I think now we can offer it as a service to schools where they can rent or lease a robot for specific situations like this."

"Good Morning America" contributed to this report.