Diseño y construcción de un robot terapéutico y asistencial para un individuo adolescente con trastorno del espectro autista perfilado.

Abstract

The present degree work focused on the design and construction of an assistive robot and based on the specific needs of Emilio, a minor with autism spectrum disorder, who has an intellectual disability and is not able to communicate verbally but only with the use of pictograms. The design of the robot called TEO, was based on a zoomorphic Labrador puppy alike robot, in addition, it can interpret pictograms and reproduce their meaning orally by using radiofrequency identification cards, reading sensors and speakers. Also, it interacts with Emilio through movements in response to the activities carried out by the subject in a mobile application compatible with the Android operating system, this communication was made by Bluetooth Tests performed over the course of 10 days showed a 15% increase in Emilio's ability to recognize and use physical pictograms, as well as demonstrated a 11.04% increase in the skill of using pictograms in the mobile application. In conclusion, the robot Teo helped Emilio to communicate using the physical and digital pictograms in a clearer and more precise way, because the robot was able to interpret correctly 100% of the pictograms in an immediate response time without reading errors and receiving signal from the mobile application. It is recommended in assistive robot design, to include more movements that enable more therapeutic activities, as well as to implement artificial vision to improve the recognition of pictograms and offer new forms of communication.