GoBot Go! Using a Custom Assistive Robot to Promote Physical Activity in Children

2024  Journal Article

GoBot Go! Using a Custom Assistive Robot to Promote Physical Activity in Children

Pub TLDR

This paper details a two-month study on the effectiveness of a custom-built robot, GoBot, in encouraging physical activity in children. The researchers investigated whether a mobile assistive robotic system could promote movement in typically developing children and how this success changed over time using different movement tracking methods. They found that children tended to be more physically active when GoBot was active, regardless of whether it was teleoperated or semi-autonomous. The study concluded that robots have the potential to positively influence child physical activity, and the use of semi-autonomous robots could be more practical and less effort-intensive in intervention settings.

DOI: 10.1109/jtehm.2024.3446511    PubMed ID: 39247845
 

College of Health researcher(s)

OSU Profile

Abstract

Children worldwide are becoming increasingly inactive, leading to significant wellness challenges. Initial findings from our research team indicate that robots could potentially provide a more effective approach (compared to other age-appropriate toys) for encouraging physical activity in children. However, the basis of this past work relied on either interactions with groups of children (making it challenging to isolate specific factors that influenced activity levels) or a preliminary version of results of the present study (which centered on just a single more exploratory method for assessing child movement). This paper delves into more controlled interactions involving a single robot and a child participant, while also considering observations over an extended period to mitigate the influence of novelty on the study outcomes. We discuss the outcomes of a two-month-long deployment, during which $N=8$ participants engaged with our custom robot, GoBot, in weekly sessions. During each session, the children experienced three different conditions: a teleoperated robot mode, a semi-autonomous robot mode, and a control condition in which the robot was present but inactive. Compared to our past related work, the results expanded our findings by confirming with greater clout (based on multiple data streams, including one more robust measure compared to the past related work) that children tended to be more physically active when the robot was active, and interestingly, there were no significant differences between the teleoperated and semi-autonomous modes in terms of our study measures. These insights can inform future applications of assistive robots in child motor interventions, including the guiding of appropriate levels of autonomy for these systems. This study demonstrates that incorporating robotic systems into play environments can boost physical activity in young children, indicating potential implementation in settings crafted to enhance children’s physical movement.

Mayoral, R.M., Helmi, A., Logan, S.W., Fitter, N.T. (2024) GoBot Go! Using a Custom Assistive Robot to Promote Physical Activity in ChildrenIEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine12
 
Publication FAQ

GoBot Go! FAQ

What is GoBot?

GoBot is a custom-designed assistive robot built to encourage physical activity in young children. It has self-propulsion abilities, and features lights, sounds, and bubbles to engage children in play.

How does GoBot promote physical activity?

GoBot can be controlled in two ways: teleoperated (controlled remotely by a human) and semi-autonomous (follows a pre-programmed "keep away" routine). In both modes, the robot's movement and interactive features encourage children to move around and play, promoting physical activity.

Was GoBot effective in encouraging children to be more active?

Yes, research suggests that GoBot is effective in promoting physical activity. A two-month-long study found that children moved significantly more when GoBot was active (in either teleoperated or semi-autonomous mode) compared to when it was present but inactive.

Did the children's interest in GoBot decrease over time?

Interestingly, no. Children continued to show a high level of engagement with GoBot throughout the two-month study. This finding suggests that robots like GoBot may offer a sustained method for encouraging physical activity, which is a significant advantage over traditional toys that often lose children's interest quickly.

Did children respond differently to the teleoperated and semi-autonomous modes?

There was no significant difference in children's activity levels between the two modes. This result is promising, as it indicates that semi-autonomous behavior can be as effective as direct teleoperation in encouraging movement. This is particularly beneficial for real-world applications where continuous human control might not be feasible.

How close did children stay to the robot during the study?

Children remained significantly closer to GoBot when it was active (in both teleoperated and semi-autonomous modes) compared to when it was inactive. This observation suggests that GoBot successfully captured and maintained children's attention, leading them to stay engaged in play near the robot.

What were the parents' perceptions of GoBot?

Parents generally perceived GoBot positively. Their survey responses indicated a tendency toward increased trust in the robot and a belief in its usefulness for promoting child well-being over time. Parents also reported positive observations about their children's engagement with GoBot and believed the robot encouraged interaction and made playtime more exciting.

What are the potential applications of this research?

This research suggests that assistive robots like GoBot hold great promise in promoting physical activity and enhancing child development. Potential applications include:

  • Early childhood education and intervention: GoBot could be integrated into preschools, daycare centers, and therapeutic settings to encourage active play and support motor development, especially for children with developmental delays.
  • Home-based interventions: GoBot could be used by parents at home to supplement their child's playtime, making it more engaging and physically stimulating.
  • Personalized interventions: With further development, GoBot could be customized to individual children's needs and preferences, creating personalized play experiences that maximize their engagement and progress.