Project Profile

The project involves the design and creation of a robot for the treatment and diagnosis of children affected by autism. The project integrates and implements computer vision algorithms which allow the robot to function more intelligently. The technologies integrated in this special robot (SAR Socially Assistive Robot) have characteristics comparable to those of a human being and bring a high degree of usability.

NAO, the intelligent robot, is capable of speaking, moving, interacting with the child, and following its movements through a series of sensors and cameras.

• By 2015 the engineers of SARACEN will have to put in place a system which favours social interaction between the child and the robot and therefore with parents and therapists. This system will also monitor the child's progress through the information collected.
• The robot will be a great help to families and will provide a significant financial saving compared to the treatments normally in use; it will be available to public and clinical bodies.
• To achieve these objectives, the project's proponents will make use of the skills of important organisations in the sector, such as the National Optic Institute of the National Research Council and the Organisational Support Unit of Lecce.

Saracen participated in the 2014 SMAU event in Bari and was one of the winners of the Confederation of Italian Industries' Lamarck Youth Prize, an award dedicated to the best business ideas.