InfoAnda - Robot brings hope to kids with learning difficulties

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Japan should ideally phase out nuclear power: minister | | 6 April 2012
Sony sees record $6.4 billion net loss, to take tax hit | | 10 April 2012
Companies with in—house training programmes can tap into SPUR funds | 20 December 2008

The face that launched a thousand North Korean tirades | International | | 18 November 2009

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Robot brings hope to kids with learning difficulties

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Search Search: Robot brings hope to kids with learning difficulties AFP - Saturday, March 21 CROFTON, Maryland (AFP) - - A robot named Cosmo has become six-year-old Kevin Fitzgerald's unlikely ally in his uphill everyday battle with developmental difficulties. ADVERTISEMENT At a strip mall clinic in suburban Maryland, Kevin is at the unlikely intersection of new efforts to treat symptoms of autism, cerebral palsy and other developmental disorders with robotics and computer work. Here, he scrambles onto a swivel chair to examine a half-meter- (1.6-feet-) tall robot on the table in front of him. Prodding four brightly-colored buttons near the robot's feet, he directs a cartoon version of the machine around a computer monitor, furtively glancing up at the real thing for encouragement. At just 18-months-old, Kevin showed the first signs of learning difficulties, which were later diagnosed as developmental dyspraxia. "It is like having a stroke," his mother Patty Fitzgerald explained. "His brain is intact, but his body doesn't do what he wants it to do." Some specific skills -- like pronouncing consonants, matching cause and effect or grasping relative concepts like better and faster -- can be depressingly difficult for him to master. But for the last year, a small blue-and-yellow android called Cosmo has offered some hope. Programmed to respond to body movements, voice activation, or a four-button-panel dubbed "mission control," Cosmo is designed to teach basic behavioral and physical skills. It can gesticulate, reproduce phrases and move around when prompted. It also cheers and gives clues to help children complete specific tasks. As a piece of engineering, Cosmo is unspectacular. It has just nine moving joints -- a number that might underwhelm robotics buffs. But Cosmo's potential to help children has caught the attention of Minnesota's globally-acclaimed Mayo Clinic. There investigators are conducting a second phase medical trial to see if the robot can help kids with cerebral palsy develop movements -- such as twisting the wrist -- more quickly than traditional methods. "It is going extremely well," said Krista Coleman-Wood, a physical therapist at Mayo's biomechemical and motion analysis laboratory. Wearing a glove fitted with sensors, children are asked to make movements that copy and are copied by Cosmo, building up muscle tissue and improving motor planning. According to Coleman-Wood, it is too early to say if children make more progress with the robot than through traditional physical therapy, but fun levels are clearly in the robot's favor. "Imagine lifting and moving your wrist repeatedly, it gets boring very quickly... (with Cosmo) there is cognitive engagement the children are engaged," Coleman-Wood said. Cosmo's designers hope a successful trial will mark a huge leap forward for robot-aided therapy. The robot's inventor, Corinna Lathan, believes it can vastly improve on traditional and computer-based learning, serving simultaneously as a toy, a friend and a teacher. "Manipulating a mouse or a keyboard is not the same as directly manipulating your environment," said Lathan, a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology who also plans experiments for NASA through her research and development firm AnthroTronix. "There is a lot of research that indicates if you want to learn social skills or spatial skills, that interacting in a three dimensional space, not just on flat screen or computer (is helpful)." "With the robot you can actually move from cause and effect... to other developmental skills (and relative concepts), you can move it round something, you can move it faster." According to Lathan, Cosmo can also help improve behavioral problems, such as lack of focus, which frequently accompany learning disabilities. "The idea is that rather than hiding in front of a computer you are actually starting to interact with a peer and the hope is that that starts to transfer to other peers, human peers -- adults, care givers, parents," she said. Five years after Kevin started therapy, Patty Fitzgerald says the last 12 months with Cosmo have proven revolutionary. "When we first started there would be times when I could not get him out of the car if he knew it would be something challenging. Now if I mention that Cosmo is going to be here, or the computer, he comes running down the hallway." According to Fitzgerald, Kevin's progress could allow him to continue to attend conventional schools, even if some adaptations are necessary. "We were expecting improvement in behavior, being able to follow the rules, being able to share and take turns, but he has picked up some reading skills and some counting skills and he can write his name. "Family life is much better, we can go to a restaurant because we can discus the fact that you don't just throw your silverware on the floor, you do use a spoon instead of your hands," she added. And her long-term goals are now a bit bolder. "We would love to see him as an adult man, working a job, having a family, that kind of thing, so, as much as he can possibly learn: that is our goal." Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (1 vote) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Technology Google removes street images over privacy complaintsAFP - Saturday, March 21 iPhone porn goes 3DAFP - Saturday, March 21 US-TECH SummaryReuters - Saturday, March 21 Software lobby seeks greater role in U.S. securityReuters - Saturday, March 21 Robot brings hope to kids with learning difficultiesAFP - Saturday, March 21 Enlarge Photo A robot named Cosmo has become six-year-old Kevin Fitzgerald's unlikely ally in his uphill everyday battle with developmental difficulties. Duration: 01:44 Most Popular – Technology Viewed Actress Natasha Richardson dies after ski accident Arrest warrant issued for Lindsay Lohan Global warming leaving its mark on polar bears US bailout auditor launches probe into AIG bonuses Injured actress Richardson flown to US: hospital View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Saturday, 21 March 2009
NATO commander sees Afghan security gains in 2010 | International |
U.S. surprised by Spain troop decision on Kosovo | International |
Africans must excise corruption, pope says | International |
Software lobby seeks greater role in U.S. security | Technology |
Liam Neeson and family hold NY wake for Richardson | Entertainment |
Paul Rudd's star rises with ''I Love You, Man | Entertainment |
Film stirs politics ahead of Indian general polls | Entertainment |
Baranski, Noth join cast of Good Wife pilot | Entertainment |
Asia exhibit spotlights designer Lacroix's costumes | Entertainment |
North Korea confirms detention of two Americans | International |
Peace Afghanistan's New Year wish
U.S. to suspend non-humanitarian aid to Madagascar | International |
Western tourists glimpse antiquity in Iraq
Sudan says to never reverse decision to expel NGOs | International |
Sudan says to never reverse decision to expel NGOs
Venezuelans protest bid to arrest opposition leader | International |
Madoff loses bail appeal as victims' rage revealed
New details of Israeli war conduct emerge
Thai PM, ministers easily survive censure vote | International |
EU fails to commit to climate change aid
Somalia, U.N. appeal for peace process backing | International |
Iran brushes aside new Obama video message
Renault to bring home Slovenia production line
Approval for Brazil's Lula hit by economic crisis | International |
Israel's Peres sends holiday greeting to Iran
Obama seeks new beginnings with Iran
Iraqi budget woes force security hiring freeze
Obama reaches out to Iranians with video message
Tokyo declares cherry blossom season open
EU fails to commit to climate change aid
Fresh water in Asia a challenge
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 595
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,260
Google removes street images over privacy complaints
iPhone porn goes 3D
US suspends aid to Madagascar
Iran welcomes Obama appeal but wants action
US-TECH Summary
Official: US puts more GIs into Afghan countryside
Software lobby seeks greater role in U.S. security
Terror suspects lodge Geneva Convention complaint
Canada bars British lawmaker over Hamas support
Robot brings hope to kids with learning difficulties
US budget deficit seen at record 1.845 trillion dlrs
Four arrested over French nursery shooting: police
China, U.S. trade barbs over WTO piracy case
NATO commander sees Afghan security gains in 2010
US criticizes Spain on Kosovo pullout
Dell to cut further 230 jobs in Ireland: report
France's SNCF hopes to run high speed rail in US
Gamers to participate in Asian Indoor Games
Regret that email? Gmail allows recall
US-TECH Summary
Recession? Texas festival SXSW bigger than ever | Entertainment |
Prince to play three L.A. shows in one day | Entertainment |
Film stirs politics ahead of Indian general polls | Entertainment |
Baranski, Noth join cast of Good Wife pilot | Entertainment |
Nirvana catalog to be re-released on vinyl | Entertainment |
Asia exhibit spotlights designer Lacroix's costumes | Entertainment |
Tokyo declares cherry blossom season open
North Korea confirms two Americans detained
Harbhajan six gives India historic win
Mumbai police want death for attack suspect
NKorea says 2 US reporters detained, investigated
US baseball heroics help Classic live up to its name
NKorea opens up border, phone lines
Miracles do happen on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Official: Taliban chief Mullah Omar in Afghanistan
China military trains first public relations team
Pakistan c.bank sells 7 bln rupees of T-bills
Reluctant opener Prince, Kallis put SAfrica on top
China sees impact on economic rebound limited
S.Korea exports dips 13 pct in first 20 days of March
At least two firms join race for disgraced Satyam
Nirvana catalog to be re-released on vinyl
Prince to play three L.A. shows in one day
WTO to rule on Thai-US dispute over plastic bags
Kin, friends gather for Richardson private wake
Daughter pushes for Falk conservatorship
Miracles do happen on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Convicted RI art dealer denies new fraud charges
Recession? Texas festival SXSW bigger than ever
Kitschy NJ store that inspired band may close
Campaign fever hits Indonesia as parties rally
Rare complete dino skeleton offered at NY auction
Brits and Americans enjoy package tour
Iran to U.S.: You change, our behavior will change | International |
North Korea says holding 2 Americans | International |
Israel marks 1,000 days since soldier's capture
Mexico captures drug lord accused of U.S. attack | International |
Afghan New Year blast, at least two dead
Suicide car bomber kills 5 Afghans, one policeman | International |
Iran says it will change if the U.S. changes
Obama budget deficit could hit 1.845 trln dlrs
Hungarian PM to quit | International |
Five NATO soldiers die on same day in Afghanistan
Ivory Coast arrests opposition figure for coup call | International |
Shun witchcraft, pope tells Angolan Catholics | International |
Mutiny-hit Bangladesh to raise new border force | International |
Tens of thousands march in Naples against mafia | International |
Israel breaks up Arab capital events in Jerusalem | International |
Iran ready to change if US leads way: Khamenei
Metallica welcomes new Guitar Hero fans | Technology |
Four Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Obama gives Carson African portfolio at State
Third bidder joins race for Satyam
Tribune sues Warren Beatty over Dick Tracy rights | Entertainment |
Vatican expresses disapproval of Angels & Demons | Entertainment |
Smashing Pumpkins sheds Chamberlin | Entertainment |
India, Pakistan report firing on Kashmir frontier
Metallica welcomes new Guitar Hero fans | Entertainment |
NKorea restores military hot line with South
India has 'proof' of Pakistan role in Mumbai attacks
Bus, truck collide in Bangladesh, killing 10
Australian Labor wins fifth term in PM's home state
NKorea: 2 US reporters held for crossing border
Officials: Bombings kill 11 people in Afghanistan
Thai PM, ministers survive no-confidence motion
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Metallica welcomes new "Guitar Hero" fans
Obama saga inspires kids -- to read
Smashing Pumpkins sheds Chamberlin
Vatican expresses disapproval of "Angels & Demons"
Metallica invades SXSW as `young band from Norway'
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01