Design of JARI: A Robot to Enhance Social Interaction in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Robots designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have demonstrated potential in promoting social engagement and emotional learning. This study presents the design and preliminary evaluation of JARI, a social robot developed to support emotional recognition and interaction in children...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Machines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/5/436 |
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| author | Ericka Patricia Madrid Ruiz Héctor Hugo Oscanoa Fernández Cecilia E. García Cena Raquel Cedazo León |
| author_facet | Ericka Patricia Madrid Ruiz Héctor Hugo Oscanoa Fernández Cecilia E. García Cena Raquel Cedazo León |
| author_sort | Ericka Patricia Madrid Ruiz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Robots designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have demonstrated potential in promoting social engagement and emotional learning. This study presents the design and preliminary evaluation of JARI, a social robot developed to support emotional recognition and interaction in children with ASD aged 6 to 8 years. The robot integrates mechanical, electronic, and software components within a modular architecture and is operated via a web-based Wizard of Oz interface. Aesthetic decisions, including a deliberately ambiguous zoomorphic appearance to avoid triggering the recognition of specific animal forms and the use of sensory accessories, were made to increase acceptance and reduce overstimulation. JARI was tested in the following two scenarios: individual interaction at a special education center in Peru, and group interaction at an inclusive school in Spain. Results show that most children were able to identify the robot’s emotional expressions and responded positively to its color cues. Behavioral analysis revealed significant engagement through physical gestures, sustained visual attention, and emotional mirroring. These findings suggest that JARI is effective in capturing attention and eliciting meaningful interaction from children with ASD. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b3ed5e487ff74cea8385865b282d4404 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-1702 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Machines |
| spelling | doaj-art-b3ed5e487ff74cea8385865b282d44042025-08-20T03:47:54ZengMDPI AGMachines2075-17022025-05-0113543610.3390/machines13050436Design of JARI: A Robot to Enhance Social Interaction in Children with Autism Spectrum DisorderEricka Patricia Madrid Ruiz0Héctor Hugo Oscanoa Fernández1Cecilia E. García Cena2Raquel Cedazo León3Departamento de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Av. Universitaria 1801, San Miguel, Lima 15088, PeruDepartamento de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Av. Universitaria 1801, San Miguel, Lima 15088, PeruCentro de Automática y Robótica UPM-CSIC, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería y Diseño Industrial, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ronda de Valencia, 3, 28012 Madrid, SpainCentro de Automática y Robótica UPM-CSIC, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería y Diseño Industrial, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ronda de Valencia, 3, 28012 Madrid, SpainRobots designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have demonstrated potential in promoting social engagement and emotional learning. This study presents the design and preliminary evaluation of JARI, a social robot developed to support emotional recognition and interaction in children with ASD aged 6 to 8 years. The robot integrates mechanical, electronic, and software components within a modular architecture and is operated via a web-based Wizard of Oz interface. Aesthetic decisions, including a deliberately ambiguous zoomorphic appearance to avoid triggering the recognition of specific animal forms and the use of sensory accessories, were made to increase acceptance and reduce overstimulation. JARI was tested in the following two scenarios: individual interaction at a special education center in Peru, and group interaction at an inclusive school in Spain. Results show that most children were able to identify the robot’s emotional expressions and responded positively to its color cues. Behavioral analysis revealed significant engagement through physical gestures, sustained visual attention, and emotional mirroring. These findings suggest that JARI is effective in capturing attention and eliciting meaningful interaction from children with ASD.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/5/436designsocial robotASDautistic childrenRobot Children Interactionemotions |
| spellingShingle | Ericka Patricia Madrid Ruiz Héctor Hugo Oscanoa Fernández Cecilia E. García Cena Raquel Cedazo León Design of JARI: A Robot to Enhance Social Interaction in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Machines design social robot ASD autistic children Robot Children Interaction emotions |
| title | Design of JARI: A Robot to Enhance Social Interaction in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| title_full | Design of JARI: A Robot to Enhance Social Interaction in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| title_fullStr | Design of JARI: A Robot to Enhance Social Interaction in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| title_full_unstemmed | Design of JARI: A Robot to Enhance Social Interaction in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| title_short | Design of JARI: A Robot to Enhance Social Interaction in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| title_sort | design of jari a robot to enhance social interaction in children with autism spectrum disorder |
| topic | design social robot ASD autistic children Robot Children Interaction emotions |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/5/436 |
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