Humanoid robot works in therapy for children with autism

TecO is the name of the humanoid robot that detects neural signals thanks to an operational amplifier using a headset or a hood, which has electrodes mounted on the child's head and records this signals; then they are sent to a computer that translates them into information that is interpreted by a psychologist or a neurologist.

The operation of TecO is explained by David Silva Balderas, researcher in the area of ​​graduate programs in engineering sciences, at the Mexico City campus of the Tec de Monterrey. "It detects certain intentions, such as moving an arm, if the kid is sleepy or alert, but doesn't read thoughts, the expression must be made clear. If the robot registers sadness in the child, it then modifies its mode of action to change that feeling," says the specialist artificial intelligence.

Another member of the scientific team that created TecO is the psychologist Demi Grammatikou, who explains that children with autism are stressed by human behavior and causes them anxiety because it is unpredictable, whereas a robot can be made predictable. "What we have seen is that the technology caught their attention and using technological tools lowers their anxiety level."

Using TecO as a tool in therapy for children with autism makes significant progress in only two months, although every child is different. She explains that emotions are measured through facial expressions, which traditionally is done by observation, but the robot uses cameras that record the number of times that the kid turns to see it. The eye contact between the two is what denotes progress.

"It gives us tools to measure quantitatively what is happening, to see how many times the child looked at the robot. The robot can see what the infant does, and independently decide what is needed. If there is no eye contact, TecO can make a sound or movement to regain the attention. Thus the child reads the robot and the robot the child," says Grammatikou.

TecO is 50 centimeters tall, has a face and arms of a bear; it is made of aluminum and its operation is electric. Its development began in 2012 and since then the project is led by Dr. Pedro Ponce Cruz, director of graduate studies in Engineering Sciences in the Tec of Monterrey of the Mexico City campus.

The researcher points out that the robot can have an approximate cost of $1,120 dollars. However, it is intended for it to not cost more than a conventional tablet. Currently, parents of children with autism pay about $140 dollars per consultation with a therapist, hence the importance of collaborating in the family economy and therapy for the improvement of the children.

According to the World Health Organization, one percent of the world population suffers from autism. In Mexico, one in 300 children has autism, and according to figures from the federal government six thousand cases are reported annually.

"From a social point of view, it does not seem to impact so many people, but when you think about one percent of the total population, is a significant number," says Dr. Ponce Cruz.

Finally, he emphasizes that technology developers must take into account the economic and social situation in the country. "Who should indicate how a product ought to be are outsiders, not the lab. The commitment of researchers is higher with the people, especially with the population that has fewer resources, which is the most vulnerable."