Babies and toddlers learn at a rapid-fire pace as they begin to crawl, walk and explore the world around them. But what happens when a young child has a problem with mobility? Researchers at the University of Delaware have customized kid-sized robots that put babies on the move.
Two-year old Andrew Peffley use to be stuck on the sidelines. He has spina bifida.
"I never wanted him to accept that he couldn't do the things he wanted to do," said Teri Peffley, Andrew's mother.
Instead, he's exploring the world like any other toddler, thanks to a pint-sized robot. Physical therapists and mechanical engineers joined forces to create the robots. They're controlled by a joystick that's simple enough for a one year old to use.
"They realize very quickly, this means going. That's the hook we use to start training them to directly drive to you," said Dr. Cole Galloway, associate professor with the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Delaware.
Researchers say babies build their brains through exploration. The majority of synapses or connections form by age three. Eighty-five percent of brain development is completed by age five.
"For a baby, it's hard to overestimate how much exploration provides them," said Galloway.
The robot has infrared sensors that drive the chair around any trouble spots. Researchers also attached a baby-cam to record the child's response.
"He'll run away from me just like a toddler would run away. He chases me down if I have his favorite toy," said Andrew's mother.
Andrew is now little boy whose brain and body can now keep up with the world around him.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have just outfitted a preschooler with a robot and are studying the impact it has on his ability to socialize with other kids in school.
To add a comment, please register or login.