Robot helps Everton fan serve as mascot

Published on: 24 April 2018

A 14-year-old Everton fan became part of Premier League history on Monday by serving as a "remote" matchday mascot against Newcastle with the aid of a robot.

Jack McLinden suffers from multiple health conditions and has severely reduced mobility, but was able to savour the experience of joining his heroes on the pitch thanks to the telepresence robot AV1.

The device allowed McLinden to interact with Everton players in the tunnel before the game in real-time via a camera, microphone and speaker linked with his tablet.

Toffees captain Phil Jagielka then carried the unit out onto the field. McLinden's mother, Michelle Wignall, said the day marked a "once-in-a-lifetime experience" for her son.

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