On the Design and Development of a Tabletop Robot for Interaction with Children

This article presents a novel emotionally expressive robot platform targeting social engagement with children. This platform was implemented in accordance with UNICEF’s policy guidance on artificial intelligence (AI) for children, focusing on factors such as safety, transparency, reliability and explainability. The robot prototype is presented from a design and development perspective, outlining all utilized electromechanical components that enable its 11 degrees-of-freedom and sensing functions. Preliminary evaluation results are provided in terms of dependability and expressiveness of basic emotions, thus demonstrating the robot’s potential to facilitate trustworthy and secure interactions with children.