Robots Teach Autistic Kids Social Skills 171
posys writes "Wired Magazine has an article showing how the eternal patience of robots lends itself well to teaching new social skills to autistic children. 'The researchers hope that the end result is a human-like robot that can act as a "social mediator" for autistic children, a steppingstone to improved social interaction with other children and adults. "KASPAR provides autistic children with reliability and predictability. Since there are no surprises, they feel safe and secure," Robins said, adding that the purpose is not to replace human interaction and contact but to enhance it. Robins has already tested some imitation and turn-taking games with the children and his preliminary findings are positive.'"
Re:Sex-bot? (Score:5, Funny)
it's been done before (Score:2, Funny)
Not just for Autistic Kids.... (Score:4, Funny)
It worked for Al Gore too!
(P.S. - I personally like and would vote for Gore, but everyone is always saying that he's as stiff as a robot).
Next: Teaching Social Skills to Slashdot Reader (Score:5, Funny)
Robot: "Women are not impressed by your vast array of Monty Python Quotes."
Slashdoter: "I'll bite your kneecaps off!"
Robot: "Women are not impressed by your vast array of Monty Python Quotes."
Slashdotter: "It's merely resting, pining for the fjords."
Robot: "Women are not impressed by your vast array of Monty Python Quotes."
Next week: Watch the Robot attempt to disuade the Slashdotter from using an "In Soviet Russia" joke.
Slashdoter: "In Soviet Russia, robot programs you!"
Robot: "I'm just not getting through to you, am I?"
Crow T. Trollbot
Re:Waste of effort (Score:2, Funny)
*ducks*
welcome (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Ummm (Score:5, Funny)
Huh? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Ummm (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Sex-bot? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Ummm (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Next: Teaching Social Skills to Slashdot Reader (Score:4, Funny)
Slashdotter: "In Soviet Russia, robots get through to you!
Robot: "ARGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!" *explodes*
Slashdotter: "In Soviet Russia, robots explode YOU!" *explodes*
Re:Next: Teaching Social Skills to Slashdot Reader (Score:1, Funny)
0) We'll have arguments about the robot's form. Lucy Liu-bot, Natalie Portman, Bender, Marvin, or CowboyNeal?
1) It better damn well run Linux...but there won't be consensus as to which distro it should run. I'm hoping it will be Ubuntu Rusty Robot.
2) ???
3) We will need to make sure that in Soviet Russia, Robots teach you!
4) They'll announce the $100 one-robot-per-child project and we'll make fun of its Fisher-Price look.
5) We will wait for a $100 price drop before we consider purchasing one.
6) MS will say that the robot's Throw_Chair() method violates patented code in gorilla.bas
7) It will be featured on Slashdot ONLY if it can use an iphone
If the Robot's running Windows (Score:2, Funny)
"ST- ST- STOP 0X0000000A W- W- WINDOWS H- H- HAS..."
Re:Waste of effort (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Waste of effort (Score:2, Funny)
Robot's opening line... (Score:2, Funny)
"Would you like to play a game?"
</80's Computer Voice>