Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders can find communication with others difficult. However, their relationship with machines is another story completely. Because of predictability and reduced external stimuli to process, technology often attracts children with autism. They find computers and other technological devices comforting, motivating, and engaging when it comes to areas like social interaction and communication.
Recently, the Today Show reported on how inspiration struck Aldebaran Robotics after a presentation where an emotional mother shared how her formerly unresponsive autistic son began exuberantly interacting with one of their robots. Subsequent studies showed that when a robot was in the same room there was a 30% increase in the number of social interactions as well as better verbal communication in some children with autism.
From there NAO was born, er built.
NAO is a programmable, 57-cm tall humanoid robot with the following key components listed on Aldebaran’s website:
- Body with 25 degrees of freedom (DOF) whose key elements are electric motors and actuators
- Sensor network, including 2 cameras, 4 microphones, sonar rangefinder, 2 IR emitters and receivers, 1 inertial board, 9 tactile sensors, and 8 pressure sensors
- Various communication devices, including voice synthesizer, LED lights, and 2 high-fidelity speakers
- Intel ATOM 1,6ghz CPU (located in the head) that runs a Linux kernel and supports Aldebaran’s proprietary middleware (NAOqi)
- Second CPU (located in the torso)
- 27,6-watt-hour battery that provides NAO with 1.5 or more hours of autonomy, depending on usage
Alderaran is “convinced that NAO can make the lives of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) better by helping them achieve more autonomy.”
Dr Karen Guldberg, from the University of Birmingham’s School of Education's Autism Centre for Education and Research hopes they’re right. She was quoted in The Daily Mail as saying, “We have been looking at how technology can support pupils with autism to communicate more effectively.” She adds, “Pupils and teachers are experimenting with the robots and other technologies in a developmental way and they are showing significant benefits for the classroom.”
Now, NAO units are used in more than twenty institutions worldwide as a fun and interactive companion to educate children with autism in the classroom. Topcliffe Primary in Castle Vale, Birmingham is one of them. They receive specialist funding to use a range of technologies to support autistic children in separate classes housed in a mainstream primary.
New students at Topcliffe this year include Max and Ben, two knee-high humanoid robots donated by Aldebaran. Head teacher at the school Ian Lowe told the BBC about how the students are reacting, "The robots have no emotion, so autistic children find them less threatening than their teachers and easier to engage with."
The school is using the robots to teach children aged from five to 10 phonics, memory and imitation by interacting through cards games, dancing and asking questions. Guldberg explained, “The robots have been modeling good behavior and acting as buddies.”
Lowe found, “The robots have been brilliant at supporting autistic children with their learning. You can program them to teach language, play games and model behavior. We have even used them in assemblies.”He added, "They are really cute looking.”
Through NAO, Aldebaran strives to empower children with autism to find social acceptance and independence in order to live better lives. Guldberg seems to think they are heading in the right direction, “It is amazing to see how engaged and focused they can be when they are working with the robot. It can be very difficult to get children with autism to focus.”
Not only noticeable in their interactions with the robot, but the children’s interactions with parents, teachers and therapists show improvement following sessions with their hi-tech classmates. Guldberg notes, "When people feel safe and are motivated they learn much better."
Since their introduction Lowe has observed, "Children who first come into school unable to make eye contact with humans start to communicate through the robots." Looking to the future he hopes the robots “can be used to support learning not just at school but at home as well.”
Image courtesy of Aldebaran Robotics
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