ERIK
Biomechatronics software
Completed project
Since 2018, the Federal Ministry of Research and Education has been funding the ERIK research project: the development of a robotic platform to support new interaction strategies for children with limited socio-emotional abilities.
Completed project. Development of a robotic platform to support new interaction strategies for children with limited socio-emotional abilities.
Task
Children with autism often find it difficult to correctly interpret the facial expressions and language of their counterparts or to express such socio-emotional signals themselves. They also often find it difficult to consciously regulate feelings such as frustration or excitement. However, these emotional and social skills are important in order to deal with their own and other people’s emotions or to resolve social conflicts. While autistic children have problems with human interaction, they often show an affinity for technology. They often find it easier to interact with robots, as these are simpler and more predictable than humans.
The ‘ERIK’ research project therefore aims to develop a robot that can interact with children with autism spectrum disorder in order to support the development of socio-emotional skills in therapy. The robot ‘Pepper’ recognises both the facial expressions and the speech of the child. It interprets these signals and derives emotions in real time. By recognising the child’s interest, frustration and boredom, the therapy scenarios can be individually adapted. Using gestures and eye movements, ‘Pepper’ can interact with children in a realistic way, reducing anxiety when interacting with people.
Challenge for ASTRUM IT
In the research project, ASTRUM IT is responsible for integrating and processing the data used for quantitative and qualitative therapy evaluation. The results obtained in this way are then visualised on a dashboard. ASTRUM IT is also implementing an interface with which the interaction strategies used in therapy can be evaluated. Only through the evaluation can it be ensured that the therapeutic approaches are effective.
The innovative therapy approach not only enables training for the children. As the therapist is not directly involved in the interaction, he can observe and evaluate the interactions more precisely and objectively. For the first time, the robot is also able to interact with more than one child at a time.
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