Page 142 - Socially Intelligent Agents Creating Relationships with Computers and Robots

Chapter 15

MOBILE ROBOTIC TOYS AND AUTISM

Observations of Interaction

François Michaud and Catherine Théberge-Turmel
Université de Sherbrooke

Abstract To help children with autism develop social skills, we are investigating the use of
mobile robotic toys that can move autonomously in the environment and interact
in various manners (vocal messages, music, visual cues, movement, etc.), in a
more predictable and less intimidating way. These interactions are designed to
build up their self-esteem by reinforcing what they do well. We report tests
done with autistic children using different robots, each robot having particular
characteristics that allow to create interesting interactions with each child.

1. Introduction

Autism is characterized by abnormalities in the development of social re-
lationships and communication skills, as well as the presence of marked ob-
sessive and repetitive behavior. Despite several decades of research, relatively
little is understood about the causes of autism and there is currently no cure
for the condition. However education, care and therapeutic approaches can
help people with autism maximize their potential, even though impairments in
social and communication skills may persist throughout life.
As engineers, we got interested in the idea of designing mobile robotic toys
to help children with autism learn to develop appropriate social skills. For an
autistic child, a robot may be less intimidating and more predictable than a
human. A robot can follow a deterministic play routine and also adapt over
time and change the ways it responds to the world, generating more sophisti-
cated interactions and unpredictable situations that can help capture and retain
the child’s interest. Robotic toys also have the advantage that they can be
programmed to respond differently to situations and events over time. This
flexibility allows robotic toys to evolve from simple machines to systems that
demonstrate more complex behavior patterns.