Robot Design for Healthcare: Autism Communication and Learning

This project delves into the application of robotics in healthcare, specifically focusing on the development of a communication assistant for autistic patients. The study aims to create a software system that can mimic autistic patients, thereby enhancing their verbal and non-verbal communication skills. The project investigates the history and features of medical robots, exploring different types like hospital robots, surgical robots, care robots, and exoskeletons. It addresses the use of robotics in autism, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals with autism in social interaction and communication. The methodology involves developing a system with face and hand detection and tracking capabilities, along with a therapeutic protocol. The project also includes system design documentation, including the Relationship Entity Diagram, UML, and system architecture. Furthermore, the project examines the trends of technology used in robotics, the impacts of robotic technology on job production and loss, and the regulatory and ethical concerns within the system. The ultimate goal is to create a tool that can improve the communication and learning skills of autistic patients, potentially aiding them in job interviews and other social interactions. The project also examines the impact of robotics on job production and loss, and addresses regulatory and ethical concerns.

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ROBOT DESIGN FOR USE IN HEALTHCARE
Name of student
Institution
Date

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Table of Contents
Introduction...............................................................................................................................................4
Project Background...............................................................................................................................4
Aims of the study project......................................................................................................................5
Resources and Restraints......................................................................................................................6
Literature review.......................................................................................................................................7
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................7
History of medical robots......................................................................................................................7
Features of medical robots....................................................................................................................7
Types of robots utilized in the medical field........................................................................................8
Hospital robots.......................................................................................................................................8
Surgical robots...................................................................................................................................9
Care robots.......................................................................................................................................10
Exoskeletons.....................................................................................................................................10
Use of robotics and autism..................................................................................................................11
A critical review of the past pieces of literature................................................................................13
Methodology and approach....................................................................................................................19
Approach..............................................................................................................................................19
Robot hardware...................................................................................................................................20
Face and hand detection..................................................................................................................20
Face and hand tracking...................................................................................................................21
Therapeutic protocol...............................................................................................................................22
Eye contact...........................................................................................................................................22
Joint attention......................................................................................................................................23
Body imitation......................................................................................................................................24
Facial expression imitation.................................................................................................................24
Fundamental requirements.....................................................................................................................25
Test plan indicators.............................................................................................................................26
Documentations of the system design.................................................................................................27
The Relationship Entity Diagram...................................................................................................27
UML.................................................................................................................................................28
The Architecture of the system...........................................................................................................29

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Design of the UI...................................................................................................................................30
The Report implementation................................................................................................................30
Discussion.................................................................................................................................................32
Trends of technology used in robotics................................................................................................32
Impacts of robotic technology.............................................................................................................33
Impacts of robotics on job production/ efficiency.........................................................................33
Impacts of robotics on job loss........................................................................................................34
Regulatory and Ethical concerns within the system.............................................................................34
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................40
Bibliography..............................................................................................................................................41
APPENDIX..................................................................................................................................................49
Chatbot (Speech Bot Simulator) Development....................................................................................49

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Introduction.
Robotics as a study branch, particularly entails the use of information, electronics and
mechanical forms of engineering (Halperin, Kavraki and Solovey 2017). Robots are, machines
that result from robotics science and have a lot of features similar to humans in relation to most
activities they perform. For some industries around the world, robots are being used for purposes
of achieving quality products and in performance of a lot of work which humans cannot easily
perform within a short time. Development of software to mimic autistic patients is explained in
this study work. Furthermore, a system that aids in non-verbal and verbal communicability of
patients is formed.
Project Background
Performance of work using robots has grown to be a common practice among many industries on
a daily basis around the world (Yang et al. 2018). The working protocols and modern market
segments have been majorly improved by robotics engineering. This practice has helped improve
efficiency in performing work while at the same time reducing the operational cost within most
companies. Robots have been commonly used in a number of fields ranging from industries,
hospitals to other educational institutions (Taylor et al. 2016). This study project has majorly
criticized the application of robots in hospitals where it is used in monitoring the non-verbal and
verbal communicability of autistic patients through a software system which is developed. This
software system required is to be able to enhance communicability skills in autistic patients.
This will, therefore, act as a remedy to help in treating those autistic patients. It is worth noting
that robotics engineering has a range of merits (Miller and Nourbakhsh 2016), and especially in
this study where is used in the treatment of individuals instead of using health workers. As a
result, this will help improve efficiency and minimize errors while performing the activities

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involved. There is fatigue which can be experienced by a human being but never experienced by
robots which can severally perform similar tasks repeatedly without being fatigued (Selig, 2017).
All these concepts are all addressed in this study project. In addition, production of human-like
robots with similar characteristic using the same software is also an aim to aid autistic patients in
communication and learning in this study project.
Aims of the study project
This study project is aimed at developing a communication assistant through mechanized robots
to be used in health facilities and other related organizations. By the end of this study project, the
target is that information formulated will be reliable enough to be used in improving non-verbal
and verbal communicability and learning skills in those underprivileged individuals.
Alternatively, the information gained in this study could also be important to individuals who
have access to it in interviews while searching for jobs.
Objectives of the project
Currently, this project study has a number of objectives. Basically, is to be able to develop non-
verbal and verbal communication assistant using a software system. Through this, the objective
of this project would be achieved.
 Firstly, this study project objective is to be able to develop a simulator assistant which
can be mechanically combined in robots. The software system to be used to mimic
autistic patients is to be developed with the help of a python with will help in
implementing the verbal and non-verbal communicability in those patients (Jobski et al.
2017).
 Secondly, an assessment of whether robots are efficient enough in performing work is
examined. Several sections in this study project have indicated that robots are really

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efficient to perform work in various companies. The assessment of effectiveness in the
performance of work and the end products is important.
 Thirdly, this study project objective is to determine the technologies and current trends
effective for developing robots. Those technologies which can be potentially useful in the
development of robots Is therefore critical in this project.
 The other objective of this project is to determine the effects of using robots to aid in
learning in disabled individuals.
 Finally, this project objectively aims to determine the effects of robotics technology on
people's jobs.
Resources and Restraints.
Certain fundamental requirements had to be met for this project to be effectively completed.
There is a need for internet access to carry out research. Other learning materials such as books
and journals related to robotics engineering is also a requirement. Competent personnel in
mechanical and software engineering who can operate the robots and computer systems is also
required. The data obtained in those computer systems are considered confidential and are only
accessible to by few.

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Literature review
Introduction
With the high rise in the ageing population more so in the developed nations, the use of robots is
gaining momentum in the nursing homes specifically in the assistive medical care. For such
robots to be able to meet the various needs of the elderly population as well as those with special
care, there is the need to focus on more implementation modes (Wass and Porayska, 2014). The
most probably human mode is speech, and thus the robot requires the general capabilities as well
as speech recognition. Currently, most of the focus has been directed to the implementation of
flexible robotic speech generation frameworks which ill offer a high degree of expressiveness as
well as quality (Grossard et al., 2018).
History of medical robots
The introduction of robots in the medical field began in the early 1980s through the science of
medicine, and it was utilized for medical operations. At this time, the application of robots in the
field of telemedicine also began by the national aeronautics and space administration.
Telemedicine is termed as the application of robots in the treatment and observation of patients
without actually being physically present by the patient (Wong et al., 2015). With the
improvements and advancements in telemedicine, its application found a way in the battlefields.
By the close of the twentieth century, the use of robotic was progressed in the surgery operations
as well as other areas. Currently, robotic is applied in numerous areas of operation within the
health sector, with the advancement still in progress (Lanyi et al., 2012).
Features of medical robots
The management of the medical robots are by the physicians via computerized consoles. These
consoles might be near the patient or located offsite. The consoles refer to multiple or single

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arms which are being controlled by the physicians. The nature of the surgery being undertaken
determines the shape of the arm. The medical requirement is integrated within the robotics
before beginning to perform a surgery or a therapy, hence facilitating traversing of the human
body in an appropriate way (Brown et al., 2011).
Majorly, these medical robots are utilized to odder provision in terms of increased patient
comfort, enhanced diagnostic capabilities, as well as meticulous interventions. The physician is
able to access the patient images and thus. Accordingly, perform controls on the robot from the
computer.
Types of robots utilized in the medical field
Hospital robots
These types of robots have the ability to perform a wide range of applications ranging from lab
specimens, distributing medications as well as handling of other sensitive materials such as
patient data. There are robots such as TUG which have the ability to carry out all these functions,
thus significantly reducing the cost of patient care. The diagram below shows an illustration of
the hospital robot (Boucenna et al., 2014).

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Surgical robots
The Medtech surgical robots market has experienced rapid advancement, more so with the
entrance of bigger manufactures such as Medtronic are and Jonson & Jonson. The surgical robots
are applied while performing surgery on patients and are the most commonly used robotics
(Weitlauf et al., 2014). They are composed of mechanical arms with a camera, as well as
surgical equipment which is attached to them, and manned by a surgeon. They are associated
with wit longer periods of recovery in cases which involves more risks. The diagram below is an
illustration of a surgical robot

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Care robots
While several robots are designed for use in the medical centers, the care robots can attend to the
patients while at home, mostly the elderly as well as patients with disabilities (Weitlauf et al.,
2017). They assist the patients to get in and out of bed, and an example is the robear.
Additionally, they can assist in recording the temperature of the patient, and ensuring regular
taking of the prescriptions. Below is an illustration. Further, the patients with special cases such
as autism can be assisted with the care robots.
Exoskeletons
This is the fastest-growing robotic sectors which offer basically hybrid limb assistance. They
assist in the detection of electrical signals from the body of the patient. Additionally, they offer

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physical rehabilitation for the patients. Below is an illustration of the same (Schalock et al.,
2017)
Use of robotics and autism
Autism, as defined by Myles, is a neurodevelopmental disorder which displays within the social
interaction, mostly in verbal communication with stereotypical behaviors. Its exact causes are not
known by the researchers. Leo first identified it within a group of children, in 1943 who
displayed strong social distancing from relations with others. The complex cases are usually
developed within the first three years of a person, and the effects can interfere with the brain, as
well as the functioning of the neurological origin. The persons having autism majorly experience
challenges with social interaction and behaviour, as well as communication. The major effects
include:
 Impaired social interaction; this is the inability to socially relate with others in a
meaningful way. It is characterized by difficulty in comprehending other people’s
feelings and intentions as well as forming social relationships.
 Impairment in social communication; this is a challenge associated with non-verbal and
verbal communication. It is characterized by the difficulty in comprehending gestures,

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facial expressions, and metaphors as well as non-literal interpretation of the verbal/non-
verbal language
 Impairment in fantasy and imagination: this refers to a limitation in the ability to perform
and play imaginative activities (Koyama et al., 2017).
In regards to the explained condition above, the personal assistant robots will significantly assist
in increasing the level of interaction of the individuals suffering from autism and make them
adapt more easily with social life. The technology has been used in the past, and the obtained
results show positive results. Further research shows that the use of socially interactive robots in
children having autism paid more attention to a robot as compared to a human therapist, as well
as taking the guided instructions perfectly well. The technology, assist children in overcoming
the fears associated with communication either verbally or non-verbally. Further research also
shows that the use of robots is more positive in children having autism more so when utilized at
an early age (APA, 2013).