Keepon

I've seen many several videos of Keepon! How is this little robot progressing as far as its mission to assist those with autism spectrum disorder?

I understand that Keepon help those on the autism spectrum make eye-contact and help them be better able to focus--I believe.

Reading about Keepon last year inspired me to explore robotic autism therapy for those on the "high functioning" end of the spectrum--like Asperger syndrome. These people struggle with social skills, for instance, and have a hard time making friends. Hence, its easy for a lot of people with Asperger Syndrome to be "happiest" when they're by themselves. I did hear that interacting with a computer is easier and more comfortable for them than interacting with people. So I wondered, what if robots or animated computer characters could provide therapy or assistance in making the transition from interacting with a computer to interacting comfortably with people, while teaching social skill and important non-tangible concepts along the way? A robot or computer character that can be social with people? A robot that could heal and strengthen psychologically by being a "friend?" Even if its all an artificial thing, its the benefit of the people that matters. It helps--and its fun--to believe that an artificially intelligent robot is alive and talking to you and caring.

I'm exploring this idea with my experimental robotic platform NINA.

BTW-I have asperger syndrome myself, so I love to think about combining my interest in robotics to provide theraputic activity for my diagnosis.