A training protocol for controlling LEGO robots via Speech Generating Devices

Lego robots have proved to be effective assistive technologies for play and academic activities. With adapted interfaces, Lego robots provide children with disabilities a way of manipulating objects, creating opportunities for play and learning, thus promoting their cognitive development. However, children need to learn how to control the robot before being able to use it as a tool to perform educational tasks. Objective: This paper describes a training protocol to control Lego robots via Speech Generating Devices (SGDs). Playful tasks of increasing complexity and appropriate metrics were designed such that the child progressively develops basic robot control skills, learns how to use the robot to manipulate items, and finally is able to use the SGD both for controlling the robot and for communication, switching between robot and communication modes. The protocol is used to bring participants to an adequate competency level for a larger study using Lego robots to perform math measurement activities. Main content: The protocol is described including a familiarization session, trials doing a slalom course, and then a final operational accuracy test. Three children with cerebral palsy performed the protocol. Results: Results of the application of the training protocol show that it provides an adequate method to incrementally develop children's abilities to use the robot as a tool to perform educational math measurement tasks. Conclusions: Introducing domains (robot control, manipulation, communication) one at a time during the training protocol provided an opportunity for the participants to practice skills that they need for math measurement activities. This protocol also provided an opportunity for the investigators to evaluate the effect of adding manipulation and communication demands on top of robot control.