Children with autism struggle to relate directly to other people. But what happens when they interact with a child-sized robot that has an expressive human face but isn't limited by emotional reactions to their struggles?
Researchers at the University of Texas Arlington (UTA) are working with the Dallas Autism Treatment Center to find out through Zeno, a robot that has been tested with patients to help them develop more appropriate responses to everyday social interactions.
"Autism seems to be a good application for these kind of robots, because autistic kids have a hard time relating to adults, but they seem to be very interested in interacting with robots," Dan Popa, a UTA associate professor of electrical engineering and a lead investigator on the research, told us.
Zeno, developed by Hanson Robotics, is being used in collaborative research by the University of Texas Arlington and the Dallas Autism Treatment Center to explore new ways of treating children with autism. (Source: University of Texas Arlington)
Hanson Robotics designed Zeno, whose face moves in a way similar to human faces. Zeno's face is made of an innovative compliant polymer called "flubber" that offers the look and feel of human skin. Popa said motors behind the face push and pull certain points on the material to create up to 10 different facial expressions.
"Zeno has an incredible face," said Carolyn Garver, director of the Dallas Autism Treatment Center, who has worked there with autistic people for 33 years and has used Zeno with her patients. "It feels real."
Garver has collaborated with UTA on feasibility tests with both autistic children and adults to determine if Zeno can be used to help people with autism identify different emotions and feelings. This, in turn, might help them begin identifying those emotions in people -- a fundamental social disability for autistic people.
The robot can interact with patients the way humans do, but it isn't limited by the emotional responses human therapists may have during treatment. There is an element of make-believe about Zeno that ties into the fantasy world "many of these children live in anyway," Garver said. "They don't identify with people very well. The robot is like a bridge. They respond to Zeno. He's nonjudgmental. He doesn't get mad. He can do the same thing over and over again, and he doesn't get tired."
I think technology is both calming and engaging, but also repetitive and structured--potentially a good mix for autistic kids as opposed to the freeforall that can be human emotions.
Thanks for the links @mrdon: I'm sure those will be really helpful for those who want to learn more about this research.
Thanks for sharing your personal experience. It's my understanding that robots like Zeno can work with older children and adults as well, so perhaps it's not too late for your son to engage in this sort of treatment to continue the progress he has already made. I wish you the best and thank you again for your interest.
Your quite welcome. Yeah, MIT has some wonderful OCW material. I'm always going to the website for project ideas and design inspiration for my ITT Tech Electronics Engineering Technology classes I teach. Speaking of robotics, here's 2 cool MIT OCW courses you might find interesting.
Your quite welcome. MIT is truly one of many innovative universities working to solve real world problems using cool and fun technology. Here's a link to all of their OCW course material. Enjoy!!!
Thanks Elizabeth. Actually, in my case, it's my daughter. However, the greater incidence is with boys. There are 4.3 boys with autism for every one girl. Technology has always been a big part of my daughter's life -- that and animals -- both more so than friends.
Interesting how autism increased just as they modified the shots they give the babies to include mercury. Hmmmm.
But, I am on board with any innovation that will help these families. There is nothing sadder than not being able to reach one's potential, and if these robots can help then we need them now! If there is a way to reach them, I am glad it is an engineer doing it!
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