Construction of a zoomorphical robot for rehabilitation of autistic children

Abstract

This article details the construction of a zoomorphical robot for use in therapy of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The robot was designed to act as a proxy in communication between a therapist and the child. It is made to look like a safe, rabbit-shaped toy to invoke feelings of warmth, safety and trust. Two versions of the robot were constructed. Laser cutting and 3d printing were used to construct the mechanical parts of the robots. Multiple movable joints allowed for easy conveying of emotions. The robot uses an LCD touchscreen to display a rabbit face that can be animated to simulate speech. Communication is possible via a camera, microphone and speakers. A specialized controller and control systems were designed to operate the robot. The devices are currently included in ongoing trials under supervision by trained specialists.