A team of researchers from the University of Lisbon and Cornell University recently unveiled a touch-based robot that can promote inclusion in schools, giving children with and without visual impairments an equal opportunity to participate in robot-based group activities. Gave. Their latest research has shown that individual and group perceptions of participation are improved, contributing to the creation of a more inclusive learning environment.
The robot, called Touchibo, was developed to improve group interactions between visually impaired and non-visually impaired children and explores the power of tactile interaction. “Touchibo aims to bridge the gap between children with diverse visual needs by fostering participation, empathy and social engagement,” said INESC-ID's Gaips Lab and Interactive Technologies. said Institute researcher Isabel Neto.
The study involved 107 children, including 37 with visual impairments, who participated in a series of reading activities facilitated by Touchibo and an audio-only storyteller. Researchers analyzed children's responses, contact behaviors, and group dynamics to assess the impact of contact-based interactions on social engagement and inclusion. “We combined video recordings, questionnaires, and observational data to capture nuances in interpersonal contact behavior, story comprehension, and group dynamics,” added Isabel Neto.
Children who participated in Touchibo significantly increased their perception of individual and group participation compared to interaction with an audio-only narrator. “Touchibo not only facilitated touch-based interactions between children, but also increased children's perceptions of the likeability and kindness of storytellers and improved social interactions in classrooms with children with mixed visual abilities. We emphasized the potential of robots to enrich people's lives.
Additionally, this study highlights the importance of touch in promoting acceptance and engagement in children with diverse visual abilities. By creating a multisensory storytelling environment, Touchbo fosters meaningful interaction, fosters a sense of belonging and mutual understanding among participants, and fosters inclusion and mutual understanding for children with diverse visual needs. promoted.
The findings of this study lead to an innovative approach to building inclusive learning environments for children with mixed visual abilities by demonstrating the power of touch-based robots to promote social interaction and inclusion. pave the way for
