Implementation of Robots in Autism Spectrum Disorder Research: Diagnosis and Emotion Recognition and Expression

Abstract

Early Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis and intervention with state-of-the-art instruments, such as Artificial Intelligence and Robots is a rather challenging and promising research area which can optimise outcomes regarding the quality of life of ASD individuals and their families. Autistic individuals tend to show, among others, deficits in emotion recognition and expression. The present review study, aiming to review the literature concerning the contribution of Robotics to ASD research, found 27 review studies conducted from 2016 to February 2023 on PubMed and Web of Science databases in which robots were either employed in ASD diagnosis, or emotion recognition and expression. Results pointed out beneficial effects of robots’ employment as far as ASD diagnosis and emotion recognition and expression are concerned. Limitations and recommendations for future research are also involved, i.e., studies combining the Internet of Things (IoT) and Robotics with an aim to early ASD diagnosis, assessment, intervention, and inclusion.