Lovable Robot--A Teaching Tool in Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Children and adults with autism spectrum disorders sometimes appear to lack human emotions—much like a robot propelled by a power source.

But for all the recent media attention and attempts to explain the burgeoning numbers of children diagnosed with the disorder, the cause of autism remains a mystery and there is no pill or treatment that can reverse its debilitating effects.

Ironically, robots are beginning to emerge as tools capable of teaching those who fall on the autism spectrum how to socially interact in a universally acceptable manner. Among them, Keepon, a yellow spongiform robot, reminiscent of a wingless Tweetie Pie cartoon character that moves in an adorably non-threatening manner.

Autism is a neurological disorder involving areas of the brain that govern social interactions, language, behavior, and sensory issues. It is not curable, but with help, say educators, the impairments whether mild or severe can improve. Spectrum disorders such as Aspergers Syndrome, are milder forms of autism that often do not impair intellectual abilities, but can present social, communication, and organizational challenges.

Keepon was designed by Marek Michalowski, a Ph.D student in robotics at Carnegie Mellon University, and Hideki Kozima a professor at Miyagi University in Japan, who formed BeatBots LLC to “defy entrenched notions of robots as impersonal mechanical tools,” according to the company’s web site. The researchers caused a YouTube sensation a few years ago when they posted a video of Keepon dancing to Spoon’s, “I Keep My Camera On.” Its cuteness factor achieves the company’s goal of designing robots with personality, simplicity and the ability to interact rhythmically.

But Keepon is surpassing those goals. The gizmo is emerging as a powerhouse tool in helping kids with autism spectrum disorders to engage and show emotional traits, such as affection. Some might argue that they are so overwhelmed by emotion that their brain shuts out the stimuli, preventing them from acting in a typical manner.

Awareness of autism-related disorders has exploded in recent years with the Center for Disease Control estimating in 2007 that one in every 150 (cq) children is affected—a statistic that inspired a collective gasp among parents and teachers across the nation.

“The numbers of students began to climb over a decade ago,” said Deborah Westaway, director of Special Education for the Lowell Public Schools in Lowell, Mass. “The growth was slower in the beginning and it continues to grow…I don’t think anyone has identified the reason concretely.”

The five-inch Keepon—shaped like a yellow snowman with neither arms nor legs--can be programmed to nod, bob, bounce and rock from a remote computer. Its eyes are cameras and its nose a microphone, giving the remote user the ability to watch how a child is reacting to Keepon without being detected. It also allows the user to have Keepon respond to the child’s advances and feel in control of its movements.

The researchers recorded the interactions.

“The most striking video,” according to the company’s web site, “shows one girl slowly forging a relationship with the robot. At first she refuses to even directly look at Keepon, but as the days go on, she draws closer to the robot, eventually touching it with a xylophone stick, then her hand. After weeks, she can be seen looking into Keepon’s eyes, putting a hat on it, and even giving it a kiss, an action she rarely performed even towards her own mother.”