Autism is a disorder that primarily affects the development of social and communication skills. Interacting with simple humanoid robots has been shown to improve the communication skills of autistic children. Currently, no robots capable of meeting these requirements are both low-cost and available for in-home use. This project produced a design and prototype of a humanoid robot that is non-threatening, affordable, portable, durable, and capable of interaction, and the electronic and control software were developed. This robot has the ability to track the child with its 3-DoF eyes and 3-DoF head, open and close its 1-DoF beak and 1-DoF each eyelids, and raise its 1-DoF each wings. These attributes will give it the ability to be used for therapy and assessment of children with autism.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Alexander, Elizabeth

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-060111-155513

Advisor

• Torres-Jara, Eduardo
• Fischer, Gregory S.

Year

• 2011

Date created

• 2011-06-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering
• Robotics Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

License

• All rights reserved