• What are the differences between a humanoid robot and a non-humanoid robot when used in treating children with Autism in clinical settings?
• Can a robotic pet help develop autistic children's capabilities in joint attention?
• How can a therapist “program” the robot pet in preparation for clinical sessions using a skill/behavior based interactive learning interface?
• What interface techniques help the therapists interact with the robot to better treat children with Autism?

Existing Sensors:

• Range Sensor: Two infrared sensors (directional) in nose to detect object distances.
• Visual Sensor: One camera with very low resolution (320×240) in nose.
• Audio Sensor: Two mics, one on each side of the head, allowing directional audio signals detection.
• Feet Touch Sensor: Four switch touch sensors at bottom of feet.
• Pat Sensor: One touch sensor at top of head, one touch sensor under the chin, at least two touch sensors on the back to detect user's patting behaviors.
• Leg Touch Sensor: Touch sensors on side of the four legs to detect touch/poke from user.
• Tilt/accelerometer Sensor: Sensing whether the robot has been tilted or turned upside down.
• Shake Sensor: Really using other sensors to detect shaking behavior of the user.
• Food Sensor: Senses whether a leaf (food) has been provided.

Possible Sensors:

• Visual Sensor: A better webcam for better resolution photos/videos.

Existing Actuators:

• Eye movements: Open or close eyes (1-DOF)
• Mouth movements: Open or close mouth (1-DOF)
• Head/neck movements: Up/down, left/right (2-DOF)
• Leg movements: Bent knee, move leg forward/backward (2-DOF)
• Hip movements: Move hip left/right (1-DOF)
• Tail movements: Move tail up/down, left/right (2-DOF)

Possible Actuators:

• None

• Processing can be done on Pleo for existing set of behaviors.
• Processing can also be done on a remote computer through Bluetooth (not using existing set of behaviors).

• Use Bluetooth to communicate when using a remote computer to control Pleo. Bluetooth might corrupt signals.

• Body movements: Head/neck, hip, leg, tail movements.
• Movements: Walk forward/backward (very slowly). Turn left/right (very slowly). Stretch.
• Sounds: Make sounds/noises, speak (if we replace sound effect files)
• Cognitive behaviors: Detect padding behavior from user. Detect tilted or upside down position. Detect food (leaf)
• Emotions: Angry (move violently and trying to bite), scared (cuddle), bored, happy (move head and tail left and right), sad (head and tail downward), scared (shaking head, body and legs). There are many different versions of emotions available.
• Expressions: Blink, sniff, hiccup, yawn, lip smack, cough, howl, tail wag, wake up, fall asleep
• Social behaviors: Curious, threaten (trying to bite quickly)

• Gestures: Nod, shake heads

(Please add here…)