Review
Robots Learn to Play: Robots Emerging Role in Pediatric Therapy
Howard AM
Proceedings of the 26th International Florida Artificial Intelligence Research Society Conference, 2013
Link to full text: www.aaai.org/ocs/index.php/FLAIRS/FLAIRS13/paper/view/5838/6033
Objective: Therapy for children includes play; at best, robots will express this quality as they are brought into the pediatric setting. Three types of robots are discussed in this article: robots (smart toys) that are operated by alternative inputs such as the smart phone, robotic orthoses that include an element of play, and autonomous robots that interact through play. In each case, examples are given.
Discussion:
- ‘Robot’ or smart toys are considered here as toys which children can play with using an alternative means of manipulation. True smart toys possess some awareness of their surroundings and additionally require some degree of autonomy to meet the definition of robot.
- Robotic orthoses or exoskeletons guide, limit and assist in motor movements of upper and lower extremities. Play can be incorporated into this therapy.
- Autonomous robot toys which engage children with intentional, purposeful imitation play. "While typically developing children possess the ability to imitate others from birth, children with pervasive developmental disorders, such as autism, demonstrate significant difficulty in object and motor imitation. Imitation skills are thought to be closely related to early language and social abilities."
Conclusion:"It seems natural then that this research thread (autonomous robotic playmates capable of engaging children in shared manipulation-based play), along with … quantitative results… emerges as the next step in the domain of robots for pediatric therapy."