Drawing Robot for Children with Physical and Intellectual Disabilities
During the brainstorming phase of my project, I had two main objectives: to design a tool that brings joy to children and also enhances their skills. I reached out to the Csillagház Primary School and Foundation, where children with physical and severe intellectual disabilities study. They explained that these children have creativity just like any other healthy child, but they struggle to draw properly because they cannot coordinate arm movements or hold a pencil steadily.
Recognizing this issue, I identified the problem: there are children who are deprived of the opportunity to draw, even though drawing develops several important skills such as fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving ability, and creativity. Moreover, it can improve self-confidence and have stress-relieving effects.
The aim of the project was to develop a device that enables these children to draw on paper. Through my research, I found that a physical end product (i.e., a drawing on paper) can be much more motivating for them than just seeing their creation on a screen.
I divided the task into three parts: creating a drawing robot capable of drawing on paper, designing an interactive controller for direct communication with the robot, and developing software to control the robot.
During the brainstorming phase of my project, I had two main objectives: to design a tool that brings joy to children and also enhances their skills. I reached out to the Csillagház Primary School and Foundation, where children with physical and severe intellectual disabilities study. They explained that these children have creativity just like any other healthy child, but they struggle to draw properly because they cannot coordinate arm movements or hold a pencil steadily.
Recognizing this issue, I identified the problem: there are children who are deprived of the opportunity to draw, even though drawing develops several important skills such as fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving ability, and creativity. Moreover, it can improve self-confidence and have stress-relieving effects.
The aim of the project was to develop a device that enables these children to draw on paper. Through my research, I found that a physical end product (i.e., a drawing on paper) can be much more motivating for them than just seeing their creation on a screen.
I divided the task into three parts: creating a drawing robot capable of drawing on paper, designing an interactive controller for direct communication with the robot, and developing software to control the robot.
The design of the drawing robot was inspired by the operation of the “Etch a Sketch” drawing toy. In this toy, aluminum powder is spread inside, allowing drawing on the screen. The toy uses two knobs to move the drawing stylus: one knob controls horizontal movements, and the other controls vertical movements.
This principle guided the design of the drawing robot, which moves along two axes (X, Y). Each axis is controlled by a small motor. The X-axis is responsible for moving the paper left and right, while the Y-axis moves the drawing tool up and down.
I performed the design process using 3D design software. Afterward, I printed the designs using a 3D printer, assembled them, and incorporated the small stepper motors.
A significant emphasis during the project development was on designing the controller, considering that children within the target group have varying abilities compared to average users. It was important to create a device that these children could handle and use relatively easily, even if they face different physical or intellectual challenges. To achieve this, I held continuous consultations with educators from Csillagház and tested prototypes with the children studying there.
The biggest challenge was addressing the diverse physical and cognitive issues of the children. Therefore, I aimed to create a controller that was as universal and widely applicable as possible.
I considered various options, including voice control, head-mounted motion sensors, eye-tracking cameras, pressure sensors, and button-based controllers. Ultimately, after multiple iterations, I decided on button controls, as I believed this would be the most straightforward solution for most children.
When designing the six buttons of the controller, I considered the functions of the drawing robot. The buttons needed to facilitate moving right, left, up, and down, as well as drawing circles and squares. The buttons were sized at 8×8 cm to be easily accessible and usable by children struggling with motor coordination. They also feature a safety edge around them to provide additional protection against slipping hands.
It was crucial that the button icons were appropriately colored, considering that many children have visual impairments affecting their eye function. Therefore, I used a color combination of yellow, red, and blue against a black background for the icons on the buttons. These icon buttons are standalone units that can be attached to each other in any order.
I programmed the software using Arduino Sketch, which accepts input from the buttons (up, down, left, right, circle, square) and manages two outputs that control the X and Y axis motors.
Unique Controller System
The button controller was specifically designed for children with physical and intellectual disabilities, considering their physical and cognitive limitations. The large-sized, brightly colored buttons are easy to press and recognize, while the buttons’ flexible arrangement allows for versatile use. This makes the controller intuitive and easy to use, facilitating the children’s interaction with the device.
Simple yet Effective Software
The Drawing Robot’s software is user-friendly and intuitively controls the robot arm’s movements. The simplified programming enables efficient handling of six inputs and two outputs, ensuring precise and reliable control of the robot arm. This makes it easy for children to learn how the robot operates and enjoy the drawing process.
Opportunity for Creative Self-Expression
With the Drawing Robot, children with physical and intellectual disabilities can freely draw and create. This fosters their creativity, self-confidence, and self-esteem while developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive functions. Through the opportunities provided by the robot, children can experience development and express themselves through the unique combination of art and technology.
Drawing is a versatile activity that supports various developmental areas for children, including problem-solving skills, creativity, self-confidence, and stress relief.