Changing the world, one robot at a time

Whoever thought that one day there would be a robot to help children with physical disabilities? Corrina Lathan developed a robot that motivates children with physical disabilities. CosmoBot is teaching children with speech, language, and other developmental disabilities how to express themselves. Built to withstand active play, CosmoBot looks like a spunky sidekick from a science fiction movie, with fully mobile appendages, motorized wheels beneath its feet, and a mouth that moves. The robot captures attention by mimicking a child's movements and its voice and can guide the child through educational and therapeutic activities under the direction of a therapist. A user controls CosmoBot with wearable sensors, by voice or with a mission control station, depending on the therapy. The machine is also wired to accept updated software and inputs from the Internet. The robot has three modes a therapist can activate. In the Live Play mode, CosmoBot responds immediately to controls or input. For example, a physical therapist will ask a child to cause the robot to raise its left arm by having the child raise his or her own left arm.