Design of a Robotic Coach for Motor, Social and Cognitive Skills Training Toward Applications With ASD Children

Socially assistive robots may help the treatment of autism spectrum disorder(ASD), through games using dyadic interactions to train social skills. Existing systems are mainly based on simplified protocols which qualitatively evaluate subject performance. We propose a robotic coaching platform for training social, motor and cognitive capabilities, with two main contributions: (i) triadic interactions(adult, robot child), mirroring, (ii) providing quantitative performance indicators. The key system features were accurately designed, including type protocols, feedback evaluation metrics, contemplating requirements applications ASD children. implemented Robot-Master Adult-Master, where children performed different gestures guided by or adult respectively, eventually receiving about movement execution. In both, mirrors during movement. To assess functionalities, homogeneous group subjects, tests carried out 28 healthy subjects; one preliminary acquisition was done an child. Data analysis customized design protocol-specific parameters characterization. Our show that mirroring execution depends complexity standardization movements, as well technical features. evaluated phases successfully estimated completion exercises. Future work includes improving flexibility adaptability, clinical trials test impact coach reducing symptoms. trust proposed indicators extend current state-of-the-art towards usage robotic-based systems.