Robot Playmates May Help Kids with Autism

 
Bubblebot: When set in "contingent"
behavior mode, children's actions
can control its behavior.
© USC Viterbi School of Engineering

New research studies interactions of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) with bubble-blowing robots. First results indicate that kids with ASD actively interact with robots.

It has been widely reported anecdotally: that ASD children interact more easily with mechanical devices than with humans. The initial study tested whether interaction was going on between ASD children and a colorful bubble-blowing wheeled robot. The robot had two settings. In one, it carried on its rolling and bubble blowing on its own internal schedule, regardless of the child. In the other, it bubbles when the child pushes a button.

The study watched four children. The researchers found that the behaviour of the robot affected their social behaviour (both human-human interaction and human-robot interaction). Social behaviour with a contingent robot was greater than with a random one.

Total, robot and parent speech went up. Also, total robot interactions and directed interactions (interactions clearly directed at either the robot or the parent) went up. Generally, when the robot was acting contingently, the children were more sociable, the scientists observed. They believe this shows the ability of robots to offer a doorway into the children’s attention.

The results were discussed especially in regard to the "Behaviour-Based Behaviour Intervention Architecture" developed to make the robots flexible and useful tools to help ASD children. This architecture is based on a therapy format, in which a therapist shares floor with toys used to try to engage the child.

Replacing toys with robots, the researchers used both robots with horns and bubble blowers, and humanoid robots capable of expressions as smiles. The architecture includes an overhead video view that analyses and stores every interaction, and a control system for the therapist operator that allows for switching between scenarios while still retaining a standard record-keeping and monitoring system used in ASD therapy. The researchers are now engaged to confirm their findings, and to develop a "control architecture" that tailors robot interactions to the specific needs of ASD children.

- More about the University of Southern California: www.usc.edu

Related Articles

• Hip Implant for Long-term Use
• Middle-Ear Microphone Could Make CIs More Convenient
• Laser Technology Can Improve Hearing