Mobile Social Robot for Autistic Children

Project Title

Mobile Social Robot for Autistic Children

Project Area of Specialization Mechatronics EngineeringProject Summary

A mobile social robot for Autistic Children is the substitute for a therapist who gives full attention to a specific child without any tiredness or revolt from the child, unlike the therapist. It can help children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder interact with people, observe things, and think flexibly by giving some tasks.

This work aims to design a comprehensive Learning System tech-based-robot for Children with Autism. Also, develop interactive materials that help children with special needs by enhancing their communication and thinking. For example, teaching basic learning, and social skills like sitting quietly, greetings, and manners. It detects a child’s moods and hyper-activities and gives commands to engage a child in a different task.

A microprocessor is embedded in the system and various special purposed electronics equipment like a camera to get real-time data to detect the emotions and movements of the child and speakers to give commands. Mic to get feedback from the child, LCD for display pictures to engage the child toward itself, and ultrasonic sensors are used to protect itself from the child. This project’s main goal is for the child with autism to move forward and achieve everything like a normal child.

Project Objectives

To develop a social robot that detects a child’s moods swings by facial expression and gives commands according to their moods by voice command. To develop a prototype social robot that teaches a child basic social skill. To detect hyperactivity movement and provide feedback to reduce hyperactivity.

1. To develop a social robot that detects a child’s moods swings by facial expression and gives commands according to their moods by voice command.
2. To develop a prototype social robot that teaches a child basic social skill.
3. To detect hyperactivity movement and provide feedback to reduce hyperactivity.

Project Implementation Method

We plan to develop a prototype mobile social robot for special children suffering from Autistic Spectrum Disorder, which affects three main abilities: communication, socializing, and thinking flexibly. Mobile social robot helps children in learning, observing things, social skills, and recognizing expression. It carries different components such as a camera for real-time detection of the child’s emotions and movement, ultrasonic sensors for keeping distance from the child, a touch sensor for sensing the touch of the child, a mic for taking feedback from the child, and also for commands by the robot, touch Screen for display purpose. The prototype's external body will be designed using 3D printed parts and will be controlled by using a Raspberry Pi controller.

Benefits of the Project

• Mobile Social Robot for Autistic children easy to use and detect child’s moods and movements.
• It can teach basic learning, social skills, communication, and socialization.
• Educating children with a robot teacher can develop an interest in children about technologies.
• ASD children are more comfortable interacting with a tech-based robot rather than with humans.
• It can provide consistent and regular responses, interactions, and communication with the children.
• Using robotic technology with autistic students could help with transitions. It could start from individual time with the robot to more direct human contact.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The purpose of designing this robot is to help Autistic Spectrum Disorder children in learning, socialize, communicate, and think flexibly.  

The project report and receipts will be provided after the fulfillment of this project.

Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry MedicalOther Industries Education , Health Core Technology Artificial Intelligence(AI)Other Technologies Artificial Intelligence(AI), RoboticsSustainable Development Goals Good Health and Well-Being for People, Quality EducationRequired Resources

Elapsed time in (days or weeks or month or quarter) since start of the project	Milestone	Deliverable
Month 1	Research about the project idea	Got a clear idea about the project’s aims and objectives
Month 2	Literature review/studying existing proxies.	Documentation, references, and limitation of the previous attempt.
Month 3	Hardware selection	Deliverable list of hardware procured
Month 4	Design and development of a CAD model of a robot	Software modeling, fabrication, and 3D printing of the Components
Month 5	Learning the programming language suitable for the robot	Developed programming skills
Month 6	Interim report write up and preparation for viva voice examination	Report submission and examination
Month 7	Controlling the sensors individually	The controller will be able to detect the sensors
Month 8	Interfacing of sensors along with the robot	Assembled robot
Month 9	Post robot testing	Initial results of the robot with errors
Month 10	Control and data acquisition.	Final results of the robot
Month 11	Thesis write up	Documentation
Month 12	Preparation for viva voice examination	Proposed prototype