Ursus: A robotic assistant for training of children with motor impairments

Abstract

In this paper we present our results and work in progress in relation to the use of a social robot as assistant for training and rehabilitation in paediatric patients with motor disorders due to Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy and Obstetric Brachial Plexus. The abilities addressed by a robot in the rehabilitation procedures without therapeutic contact include: active perception, sensor fusion, navigation, human movement capture, voice synthesis and plan execution, among others. We propose an ambitious approach to non-contact rehabilitation therapies with paediatric patients that present motor impairments, as well as an evaluation methodology to determine the effect of using social robots as therapy conductors. An experimental study was performed with six paediatric patients and results are explained. Finally, new challenges are exposed to develop in the future.