Robot-Assisted Therapy for Learning and Social Interaction of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Robot-Assisted Therapy for Learning and Social Interaction of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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DOI：
10.3390/robotics6010004
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发表时间：
2017-03-01
期刊：
影响因子：
3.7
通讯作者：
Krageloh, Christian
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Bharatharaj, Jaishankar;Huang, Loulin;Krageloh, Christian
本文提出了潜在的设计鹦鹉启发的机器人和间接教学技术，适应模型竞争的方法（AMRM），以帮助提高自闭症谱系障碍儿童的学习和社会互动能力。AMRM是通过调整两种流行的传统方法，即模型竞争方法和标签训练程序。在我们的验证试验中，我们使用了一个半自主的鹦鹉启发机器人，称为KiliRo，来模拟一组自主行为。一种使用AMRM的机器人辅助治疗方法在临床环境中对9名自闭症谱系障碍儿童进行了连续5天的试点测试。我们分析了儿童的面部表情，当他们与KiliRo使用自动情绪识别和分类系统，牛津情绪API（应用程序编程接口）。结果表明，自闭症谱系障碍的儿童似乎很喜欢与鹦鹉启发的机器人互动。参与这项试点研究的儿童父母，儿科医生和儿童心理学家的简短定性访谈也承认，拟议的鹦鹉启发机器人和AMRM可能在帮助改善自闭症谱系障碍儿童的学习和社会互动能力方面有一定的优势。
This paper puts forward the potential for designing a parrot-inspired robot and an indirect teaching technique, the adapted model-rival method (AMRM), to help improve learning and social interaction abilities of children with autism spectrum disorder. The AMRM was formulated by adapting two popular conventional approaches, namely, model-rival method and label-training procedure. In our validation trials, we used a semi-autonomous parrot-inspired robot, called KiliRo, to simulate a set of autonomous behaviors. A proposed robot-assisted therapy using AMRM was pilot tested with nine children with autism spectrum disorder for five consecutive days in a clinical setting. We analyzed the facial expressions of children when they interacted with KiliRo using an automated emotion recognition and classification system, Oxford emotion API (Application Programming Interface). Results provided some indication that the children with autism spectrum disorder appeared attracted and happy to interact with the parrot-inspired robot. Short qualitative interviews with the children's parents, the pediatrician, and the child psychologist who participated in this pilot study, also acknowledged that the proposed parrot-inspired robot and the AMRM may have some merit in aiding in improving learning and social interaction abilities of children with autism spectrum disorder.