Interaction of an Emotion Responsive Robot and Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Controller Based on Proxemics

Name: GIANCARLO PEDRONI DEL PIERO

Publication date: 22/09/2021
Advisor:

Name	Role
TEODIANO FREIRE BASTOS FILHO	Advisor *

Examining board:

Name	Role
DANIEL CRUZ CAVALIÉRI	External Examiner *
ELIETE MARIA DE OLIVEIRA CALDEIRA	External Examiner *
TEODIANO FREIRE BASTOS FILHO	Advisor *

Summary: Children early diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), who receive
appropriate treatment, can improve their development. One way to stimulate them is by using a social robot. This Master’s Dissertation presents an improvement for the robot created by Assistive Technology and Robotics Group at UFES using proxemics. A new control law using the concepts of Workspace and an internal representation together with an external visualization of the robot’s emotional state are also proposed. Robot Operating System (ROS) is incorporated on the project to facilitate modification or adaptation. The results show that the proxemics influences the robot’s controllability, according to Machine State proposed and respecting the child’s will, and that the robot can simulate emotions as it travels and according to its interaction with the child.
Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder. Mobile Social Robot. Emotions. Control. ROS.

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