Buddy, the emotional robot, improves quality life of chidlren with autism

Buddy, embodied Emotional AI serving the most vulnerable

Buddy is an emotional companion designed to improve the quality of life of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and fight against their social isolation and loneliness.

The Buddy robot is a embodiment of Emotional Artificial Intelligence at the service of children with special educational needs, supporting them to acquire the social and emotional skills essential for daily life.

The use of robots as an effective treatment for autism has been attested by many researchers. Many scientific studies confirm the positive impact that robots can have on behavioral interventions in autism.

The positive results are grouped around the following observations:

Children trust robots,
Most of the children with autism interact eagerly with robots,
Robots’ characteristics – predictability, simplicity, repetition – reassure children.
Robots deliver predictable responses over and over,
Robots, unlike human, do not inadvertently communicate disturbing facial expressions or use nuanced vocal inflections that children can find annoying

Why choose Buddy?

Buddy, and its unique interaction capabilities, allows children with autism to progress while remaining in the real world with its social codes, unlike mobile applications and their virtual world. Which also allows progress in interactions with humans.

This emotional dimension is something that inanimate objects, such as computers or tablets, cannot achieve.

Buddy, a character

Before being a platform on which many applications are available, it is first and foremost a character who can speak, move and react to caresses.

Buddy, a presence in a real environment

Buddy also has the advantage of being embodied in a “body” that evolves in our environment, so it is not only a “virtual” being, which multiplies its uses and makes it more engaging. It provides a feeling of presence that soothes and reassures.

Buddy, a multimodal interaction

With Buddy, children can interact in different ways: with voice, touch, tactile and remotely (via a tablet). In this way, Buddy is inclusive because the means of interaction are diverse and adapted to multiple profiles. It is proactive, in particular thanks to the integration of ChatGPT.

Buddy, a natural reinforcer!

Buddy is equipped with several sensory stimulators: touch, LED colors, voice, music, Buddy’s sounds, movements, the images it displays, and everything that makes Buddy a character. Users are engaged in the interaction with Buddy more than they would be with a tablet.

The success is here!

Many associations, teaching units, autism institutes have already adopted Buddy and observed significant improvements in their daily work with ASD children!

Their feedback reinforce the added value of Buddy as The Solution of Choice compared to other technological devices tested such as tablets. The playful nature of the robot is very present and it contributes to the activity being reinforcing in itself. The undeniable added value of Buddy is its attractiveness and interaction.

Buddy is more than just a teaching tool; it is a trusted partner for anyone looking for support to encourage their child to recognize and learn social interactions.

SQYpi : An educational, innovative and ambitious project

Winner of an Education Challenge, we conducted the “SQYpi” project for 18 months, in collaboration with the Versailles Academy and the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines urban area.

SQYpi : The digital revolution in schools

Laurence Dorée, educational digital project manager in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, explains how Buddy supports the inclusion of young autistic students in the territory.

"I have a student that I hear talk very little, and when we were working on the weather on Buddy where Buddy would say “what’s the weather like today? Is it sunny? Is it raining? Is it snowing?” Well for the first time; I heard her say “it’s raining”. And I think she even said “it’s raining today”. I had never heard her say a sentence like that in its entirety that made sense with what we’re doing."

"And I have another student too, who has a lot of echolalia [...] And there with the robot, for the first time Buddy said to her “What’s your name” and she immediately replied “my name is Inde”. And it was the first time I heard her answer without repeating the sentence and I said to myself “yes there is certainly something different on the robot than us as human beings, it offers something else."

J-B Thiéry Association

For several years, the association has been betting on innovation in its daily life and in all areas within its teaching units. They have adopted Buddy and are using the benefits of the technology to work on emotion recognition.

"Overall, the children seem to have enjoyed the Buddy robot. From an aesthetic point of view, it does not inspire apprehension in any way. The children have undeniably enjoyed the robot. Over the course of the sessions, in general, the children seem to be more and more attentive to the adult's instructions. The professionals find that it is a good tool."

CAP Autisme Institute from AFG Autisme

The Institute recently welcomed Buddy. Discover in this article published by AFG Autisme association a first more than conclusive discovery of Buddy which will allow the improvement of the daily lives of the children going at the institute.

"This is just the beginning, we are curious to know what features the robot hides."

Request a demo of Buddy!

Be the next ones to welcome Buddy to help these children progress in their social relationships and learning!
Contact us for more information or to organize a demonstration at your convenience.

Take your First Steps with Buddy

Find out today how to use Buddy with children with autism.

We created this educational kit with teachers to facilitate learning and develop the skills of children with special needs.

CONTACT US

Our team is ready to support you in the adoption and use of our Buddy robots, providing you with personalized assistance. Together, let’s build a promising future for autistic children!