Arash Social robot

The Arash Social Robot project aimed to design a mobile robot capable of interacting and communicating with children with special needs during pediatric cancer interventions. Research suggests that such interactions in clinical environments can significantly reduce children's distress levels and improve the overall effectiveness of their treatment process. By offering companionship and emotional support, the robot helped create a more comforting atmosphere for young patients facing challenging treatments.

The project began in May 2016 at CEDRA, Sharif University in Iran, and underwent multiple phases of development over the course of several years. Each phase focused on refining the robot’s capabilities and ensuring it met the unique emotional and cognitive needs of the children it was designed to support.

Client: CEDRA

Timeline:

June 2016 - August 2017

Understanding

As the designer of the Arash Social Robot, my primary focus was to determine the specific functionalities and capabilities the robot needed, as well as those it should avoid. I also worked on defining how the robot should look to be engaging and appropriate for the children it was designed to support.

This process involved numerous discussions, interviews, and workshops, both internally within the project team and externally with experts, to gather a well-rounded understanding of the clinical environment and the children's needs. These insights were essential to shaping the robot’s design and ensuring its effectiveness in supporting pediatric cancer interventions.

Ideation & sketching

Exploring some ideas and forms for the robot

Background

Robots are no longer seen merely as tools or appliances but often as social actors capable of engaging in a wide range of behaviors and interactions. This understanding shaped the development of Arash, a mobile social robot designed to interact with children with special needs in clinical settings.

Research has shown that communication and interaction with children in such environments can significantly reduce their stress levels and improve the overall effectiveness of their treatments. Arash was created to harness these benefits, providing a means of comforting and supporting young patients during pediatric cancer interventions through meaningful interactions.

Inspiration

I needed inspiration and design direction for the robot's form. Drawing from the insights gathered from potential users and the project team, I created a mood board that included relevant keywords and images. T

his helped shape the visual and functional aspects of the robot, ensuring it aligned with both user needs and the project’s goals.

Prototyping

Development

The design process was iterative, with a constant back-and-forth to ensure that the robot would not only be functional but also loved by the children it was designed to support. Balancing usability with emotional appeal was key to achieving the desired outcome.

3D modeling