Hideki Kozima (Tohoku University), “Child-robot interactions for therapeutic and educational research and practices”

Abstract:
Research in developmental robotics includes modeling human intelligence and the process of its emergence in robotic systems. A novel research paradigm in psychology is emerging in conjunction with such efforts regarding reproducing human-specific communication abilities in robots and observing how children interact with robots with various communication capabilities. I will discuss such research trends from a broader perspective, and the potential to realize robots that afford children the opportunities to build social relationships is examined. We consider human communication abilities not as a set of interactive functionalities in individuals but as a set of social tools in which functionalities have emerged from the social interaction driven by the individual motivation to form relationships with others. We also explore some representative works on using robots to help establish such relationships in autistic and typically developing children. Finally, we discuss the possibility of using robots for further research and practical support for child development centered on building social relationships.

This talk will take place in person at SCIoI (room 2.057).

Photo by Owen Beard on Unsplash.