Interactive robots as social mediators IROMEC playmate
Research highlights the important role of play in child development, learning about physical and social environment, personality and development of social relationships.
The European project IROMEC
The project focuses on children who can not play by cognitive, developmental, or physical limitations that affect the playing skills. In general, this also limits the learning potential and more specifically led to an isolation of the social environment.
Robotic toys as a social mediator
The project will investigate how robotic toys can be an opportunity for learning and fun. The developed robotic system is intended as a social mediator that children with disabilities access to different types of games, from solitaire to social and cooperative play. Robustness, dependence, but also plug and play operation of the robot will be specifically examined.
Objective of IROMEC
Developing a social robot system that can function as a social mediator in a game environment through which three main aspects of play are realized:
- improving quality of life
- improving social inclusion
- improvement of learning and therapy