Iranian Scientists Make Cute Robot to Increase Concentration in Students with LD

Students with learning disabilities (LD) struggle with specific skills like reading, writing, or math, and often require individualized and additional support to fill educational gaps.

A cute little robot may help children with learning disabilities stay focused, a team of Iranian researchers and foreign experts have found.

QT robot is an expressive little humanoid designed as a tool for therapists and educators. It uses facial expressions, gestures, and games to teach children with autism spectrum disorder about communication, emotions, and social skills.

QT robot was born in 2016. The robot is the brainchild of two Iranian scientists named Pouyan Ziyafti and Aida Nazari Khorram. QT was the first robot created specifically as a tool to help children with LD or Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This robot can pose with its head and arms, show facial expressions and speak.

In this research, three researchers from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, two experts from the Learning Disabilities Association in Vancouver, Canada, and a humanoid robot named QT were present.

ASD is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.

Also, a learning disability is a neurological condition which affects the brain's ability to send, receive, and process information. A child with a learning disability may have difficulties in reading, writing, speaking, listening, understanding mathematical concepts, and with general comprehension.

4155/v