Robotic Interventions for Learning (ROB-I-LEARN)

Managing social-educational robotics for students with autism spectrum disorder through business model canvas and customer discovery

“…In contrast, for ASD students, they offer a safe and predictable environment for social interaction training, provide consistent and repetitive practice sessions, and can be customized to address individual needs, thus reducing overstimulation. These benefits, underscored by previous research (e.g., Chevallier et al, 2012;Belpaeme and Tanaka, 2021;Arora et al, 2023) highlight the versatility and effectiveness of social robots in educational settings, catering to the diverse needs of students across the spectrum of development. The development of ASD-specific social robots can be traced back to the seminal study by Emanuel and Weir (1976), in which a computer-controlled electrotechnical device, a turtle-like robot (LOGO) moving on wheels around the floor, was used as a remedial tool for a student diagnosed with ASD.…”

“…Customer discovery interviews are a crucial component of the business model canvas (BMC) research methodology, particularly in the field of social robotics and human-robot interaction (HRI) ( Arora et al, 2023 ). These interviews involve engaging with potential customers to understand their needs, preferences, and problems (or pain points), which can then be used to inform the development of a business model.…”

“…The BMC methodology incorporates insights gathered from customer discovery interviews, ensuring that user needs and preferences are considered during the design and development process ( Arora et al, 2023 ). These customer discovery insights can then be integrated into the BMC methodology to develop a sustainable and effective business model for social robotics and HRI.…”

“…BMC’s visual representation (refer to Table 1 ) encourages collaboration among team members, providing a clear and concise representation of the social robot’s components and their interrelationships. BMC’s modular structure enables researchers and developers to easily modify and update different aspects of the social robot as new insights or technological advancements emerge ( Alves-Oliveira et al, 2022 ; Arora et al, 2023 ). By utilizing the BMC, researchers can create a visual representation of the various components that help in a successful social robot interaction and implementation, including customer segments, value propositions, channels, and revenue streams ( Arora et al, 2023 ).…”

“…Social robots are proven to help both typically developing (TD) students and students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ( Chevallier et al, 2012 ), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication impairments and abnormal (repetitive) behaviors ( DSM-5, 2013 ). For example, social robots can enhance engagement and motivation, promote personalized learning, and encourage STEM education for TD students ( Zhang et al, 2019 ; Arora et al, 2023 ). In contrast, for ASD students, they offer a safe and predictable environment for social interaction training, provide consistent and repetitive practice sessions, and can be customized to address individual needs, thus reducing overstimulation.…”