Nao: a promising tool for Pediatric Hospitals

Some cognitive disabilities are characterized by specific social, relational, and emotional behaviors. In order to study and encourage interaction between children with relational disorders, such as autistic spectrum disorders, the use of humanoid robots seems promising. Indeed, compared to the variability of the possible responses of a human interlocutor, the robot can be programmed to adapt to the needs of the child, creating relational situations that are predictable and emotionally reassuring. However, most setups involving the use of a humanoid robot for sessions with children do not include methods to characterize the children’s interaction and behavior. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the use of NAO to improve the quality of hospitalization of children in the Department of Pediatric Neurology and Muscle Diseases, but also its effectiveness for the development and recovery of cognitive skills. The positive and encouraging results have provided a first proof of concept that the system can used in a clinical setting. In conclusion, Nao catalyzed the attention of the majority of children that remained high during all of the session, even in children whose clinical profile is characterized by a severe attention deficit.