In a research project run by the Norwegian Computing Center (Norsk Regnesentral), we are examining how to build a system that uses a socially assistive robot for helping children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) develop communication and social skills. Other partners in the project include Drammen Municipality, Cyberbook, Innocom, and the University of Southern Norway.
This project is open for multiple topics in the areas of understanding users, ethics, and prototyping. Some ideas include:
- Understanding needs and requirements for children, parents, teachers, etc.,
- designing scenarios for lessons,
- researching and prototyping mechanisms for keeping or increasing motivation in participating in lessons,
- Researching and prototyping how to easily tailor lessons for each child
- Exploring technology and ethical issues surrounding use of robots in teaching children with ASD.
These ideas offer opportunities for design experiments and investigation.
Depending on the topic and the direction taken. One or more of the following courses will be useful: IN5510 Participatory experimental design, HCI competence matching IN2020, IN5480 Interaction with AI, IN5530 Research Through Design, IN5120 Tangible Interaction. IN5010 Design, technology and Society would be useful for examining ethical issues. If deep understanding of the robot is desired, IN4140 Introduction to robotics is also a possibility, but is not expected.