Plusme H2020 (DUS.AD016.121)
Thematic area
Social sciences and humanities, cultural heritage
Project area
Cognizione naturale e artificiale: comunicazione, linguaggio, etica (DUS.AD016)Structure responsible for the research project
Institute of cognitive sciences and technologies (ISTC)
Other structures collaborating in the research project
Project manager
GIANLUCA BALDASSARRE
Phone number: 3385934645
Email: gianluca.baldassarre@istc.cnr.it
Abstract
+me is an experimental soft interactive toy with a panda form designed in collaboration with developmental therapists. Thanks to embedded electronics, +me can emit attractive responses as colored lights and amusing sounds when touched on paws. The device is connected to a control tablet to allow an adult caregiver to modify the input-output contingencies, so as to produce several rewarding response patterns according to child's reaction. These features make +me a potential support tool for therapy of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): the attractiveness and the functional versatility of the device could be exploited during play activities with a therapist to capture the interest of children, to encourage their social interactions, then reinforcing pivotal social skills as imitation, eye-contact, turn-taking.
+me is currently in experimental phase, in pilot tests on children (24-48 months) with ASD and Typical Development (TD).
Goals
The main goal of the project is to develop the +me from the current experimental prototype towards a "ready-for-market" product, certified for safe use in EU. The project aims to
1) engineer the prototype, through a third party company expert in electronic manufacturing, in order to realise a small-scale production of 10/20 working +me samples;
2) at the same time, continue the experimentation on TD and ASD children, to strengthen the scientific aspects of the device;
3) disclose the obtained results through scientific publications and participation to promotional events market-oriented, in forecast of a next possible commercialisation.
Start date of activity
01/09/2020
Keywords
Autism, Therapy, Interactive-devices
Last update: 16/06/2025