Beste Özcan: +me

Presented at Maker Faire Rome, +me is an emotionally responsive transitional object for the children with autism to allow them to better communicate.

Children with autism can communicate with the +me in the way he likes such as hugging, sleeping, squeezing or carrying. The wearable prototype consists of an haptic interface, color and density changing lights, speakers with sensor technologies and a remote controller that allows therapists or parents to adjust the actual sensory feedbacks.

The main aim of the prototype is to produce specific sensory feedbacks controlled by an adult to implement social competence and social conversation between children with autism and their parents in daily life or with therapists. After having positive sensory feedbacks as a reward, children with autism tend to focus more on the interpersonal communication and to achieve their goals during the learning activities.

The prototype has Bluetooth connection, capacitive sensors, tablet application and speakers. It is now in a text phase thank to a collaboration with therapists and children at the Istituto di Neuropsichiatria Infantile Villa Dante in Rome.

Beste Özcan is collaborating with the Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie della Cognizione, ISTC-CNR, in Rome to develop this and other possible objects.