Benefits of SpinBOT playful robotic environment in the development of cognitive abilities

Abstract

Children with physical disabilities are at high risk of developing adverse effects on their cognitive development, due to their lack of ability to interact with the world around them. Multiple studies have demonstrated the potential of robots as tools used to assist playful activities, which allow the learning of cognitive, social, motor and language skills. In this area of application, this article describes a study with 4 children between 11 and 17 years of age, in order to evaluate a low-cost, technological assistance environment for the rehabilitation of the upper limb, which during the treatment with the Robot, allowed to demonstrate the cognitive concepts of causality, negation, symbolic play and sequencing. At the beginning and the end of the intervention, an evaluation was carried out by professionals in the psychology and physiotherapy area. An interview was applied to the therapists and parents or caregivers, where the progress of the cognitive component was observed through the use of the robot. © 2019 Universitat Politecnica de Valencia. All Rights Reserved.