Realistic Humanlike Robots for Treatment of ASD, Social Training, and Research; Shown to Appeal to Youths with ASD, Cause Physiological Arousal, and Increase Human- to-Human Social Engagement

Abstract

This paper describes results from preliminary psychology experiments, which indicate that people (both children and adults) with autism or ASD accept realistic human-like robots, are not afraid of such robots, find such robots appealing and engaging, and may be more likely to increase social awareness as a result of interacting with such robots. These results support the further development of humanlike robot technologies as possible social training tools or treatment options for ASD, and as enabling new directions in research into the nature of ASD as a social disorder. The paper describes how the authors adapted ABA into robotdelivered scripts and protocols, with focus on labeling and joint attention tasks, and tested the results using observation of behavior, input with iPad interface, questionaires, and direct physiological measurement of biosignals including ECG and derived LF/HF ratios. Additional research is required to validate these preliminary results, to determine if such realistic humanlike robots are effective in long-term training and/or therapy. However, given the strength of the early results, and the potential value of such tools for treatment and research, such further research is warranted.