Project Objective:
After considering the capabilities of an emerging technology, my team chose to develop a children's toy to facilitate the well-being of kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder, their families, and the ASD community at large. As a combination children's toy and diagnostic tool, it is an innovative means of recording, assessing and better understanding children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
This toy is a companion that is capable of recording the child's physical interaction with it via pressure and temperature. As children with ASD often find sensory stimulation calming, this toy offers a variety of tactile sensations for the child to engage with.
The e-skin also records flow of water and humidity, so Oscar is also waterproof! With bath time being a sensory overload for many ASD kids, Oscar can be there to add security and distraction.
This toy is a companion that is capable of recording the child's physical interaction with it via pressure and temperature. As children with ASD often find sensory stimulation calming, this toy offers a variety of tactile sensations for the child to engage with.
The e-skin also records flow of water and humidity, so Oscar is also waterproof! With bath time being a sensory overload for many ASD kids, Oscar can be there to add security and distraction.
A partner app serves as the venue to bring Oscar to life! The recording capabilities of the e-skin would translate into a digital pet that would help children with ASD establish empathy, as it must be cared for and treated as one would any family pet. Oscar's digital twin can offer training through play in such areas as facial expressions (which can be challenging for these kids to grasp) math, colour theory and even as a bath trainer ("See? Oscar needs a bath too, will you help him feel safe?").
Lastly, as the technology records all interactions, this can offer invaluable data to parents and those trying to gain insight into Autism Spectrum Disorder more fully. Oscar is with the child during alone time and is recording all interactions, which are displayed in the "Parental Portal" of the app. For parents, this can indicate the moments that the child is perhaps more anxious or offer general understanding of which sensory experiences are preferred.
Team: Isla Brown and Walter Yim. Timeline: Four weeks.
Mock-Up Fabrication
O.S.C.R.'s prototype model was made to simulate the final toy's intended qualities: light-weight and soft, yet waterproof with malleable limbs that offer a variety of tactile/sensory feedbacks. Wire, light- switches, candy wrappers, bells, beads and other found objects were used to achieve these qualities.
