Design of a Social Robot for the Support of Neurodivergent Children in Educational Environments

Betzabé López (), Daniel Gálvez (), Lorena Delgado (), Christopher Cáceres () and Pavlo Santander ()
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Betzabé López: University of Santiago of Chile, Industrial Engineering Department
Daniel Gálvez: University of Santiago of Chile, Industrial Engineering Department
Lorena Delgado: University of Santiago of Chile, Industrial Engineering Department
Christopher Cáceres: University of Santiago of Chile, Industrial Engineering Department
Pavlo Santander: University of Santiago of Chile, Industrial Engineering Department

A chapter in Technology Management for Intelligent, Open and Responsible Organizations and Ecosystems, 2026, pp 307-314 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This study presents the design of a social robot aimed at enhancing the inclusion of neurodivergent children in educational settings. Despite their potential, social robots often face challenges related to user acceptance, emotional engagement, and adaptability, limiting their effectiveness in real-world applications. Many existing models struggle with rigid designs, lack of personalization, or unintuitive interactions. To address these issues, we propose an iterative methodology that integrates technical, psychological, and pedagogical perspectives, ensuring a user-centered approach that enhances engagement, adaptability, and user comfort. Through multiple iterations, we refined key aspects such as form, color, and sensory impact, ensuring both functionality and emotional support. Results indicate that a minimalist humanoid form and a neutral color scheme significantly improve user acceptance. Future work will focus on refining movement, voice modulation, and interactive features to further enhance usability and effectiveness.

Keywords: Neurodivergence; social robots; human-robot interaction; robot design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:prbchp:978-3-032-23124-6_37

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-23124-6_37

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