Tactile Interactions with a Humanoid Robot : Novel Play Scenario Implementations with Children with Autism

Acknowledgments: This work has been partially supported by the European Commission under contract number FP7-231500-ROBOSKIN. Open Access: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits any use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and the source are credited.The work presented in this paper was part of our investigation in the ROBOSKIN project. The project has developed new robot capabilities based on the tactile feedback provided by novel robotic skin, with the aim to provide cognitive mechanisms to improve human-robot interaction capabilities. This article presents two novel tactile play scenarios developed for robot-assisted play for children with autism. The play scenarios were developed against specific educational and therapeutic objectives that were discussed with teachers and therapists. These objectives were classified with reference to the ICF-CY, the International Classification of Functioning – version for Children and Youth. The article presents a detailed description of the play scenarios, and case study examples of their implementation in HRI studies with children with autism and the humanoid robot KASPAR.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Should we be thinking about sex robots?

The chapter introduces the edited collection Robot Sex: Social and Ethical Implications. It proposes a definition of the term 'sex robot' and examines some current prototype models. It also considers the three main ethical questions one can ask about sex robots: (i) do they benefit/harm the user? (ii) do they benefit/harm society? or (iii) do they benefit/harm the robot

[Iteration 2491-J]

When one considers the macro scale of human existence, it is ultimately a never-ending cycle of futility. We are born, some of us reproduce, and then we die. No matter what exists within that cycle, those facts remain true. However, a futile existence does not have to be a meaningless one. When one considers the micro scale of human existence, there is beauty and joy within the lives of individuals. Individuality is an essential component our existence, and it allows us to spend our time on this planet in a meaningful way. Futility, as a concept, is not inherently pessimistic. Futility can also be beautiful, not despite of its nature, but because of it. The concept can be both depressing and uplifting simultaneously. Futility, and this dissonant relationship are what I hope to examine in this thesis exploration. The title of my thesis, [Iteration 2491-J] references the importance of the iterative process throughout my journey of researching and creating my artwork. Not only, did iteration play a large role in the development of the physical artwork for my thesis exhibition, it also was an essential part of the implied narratives. The number 2491 is an homage to the single most influential piece of inspiration in my research, The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus. The number is a reversal of 1942, the year the essay was original published