Android Robot-Mediated Mock Job Interview Sessions for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an android robot-mediated mock job interview training in terms of both bolstering self-confidence and reducing biological levels of stress in comparison to a psycho-educational approach human interview was assessed in a randomized study. Young adults (ages 18–25 years) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were randomized to participate either in a mock job interview training with our android robot system (n = 7) or a self-paced review of materials about job-interviewing skills (n = 8). Baseline and outcome measurements of self-reported performance/efficacy and salivary cortisol were obtained after a mock job interview with a human interviewer. After training sessions, individuals with ASD participating in the android robot-mediated sessions reported marginally improved self-confidence and demonstrated significantly lower levels of salivary cortisol as compared to the control condition. These results provide preliminary support for the feasibility and efficacy of android robot-mediated learning.

Can Robotic Systems Promote Self-Disclosure in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Pilot Study

“…To elicit the belief that the robots were behaving and reacting autonomously, we adopted a remote control system similar to those conventionally used in robotics research ( 27 ). The Android robot employed was ACTROID-F (Kokoro Co., Ltd.), a female version of android robot with an appearance similar to that of a real person (see Figure 1 ) ( 28 , 29 ) (i.e., its body is designed to have remarkably similar proportions, facial features, hair texture, and hairstyle to that of a human). ACTROID-F has been previously used to conduct experiments primarily designed to help adolescents with ASD participate effectively in conversational tasks (e.g., job interviews, conversations, and social skills interventions).…”

Subthalamic nucleus detects unnatural android movement

“…Today, artificial social agents have already been used in the medical and health-care fields (e.g., a realistic android is now employed as a trainer for improving social skills for adults with autism spectrum disorder 29 ). It is important for such social agents in use to minimize uncanny feelings with the installation of legitimate kinetic and visual features.…”

Brief Report: Evaluating the Utility of Varied Technological Agents to Elicit Social Attention from Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…1 . “ACTROID-F” (Kokoro Co. Ltd.) is a female prototype of an android robot designed to replicate an appearance strongly similar to that of a real person (Kumazaki et al 2017a , b , c , d ). Its artificial body is designed with the proportions, facial features, hair color, texture and style as a human.…”

“…An advantage of using social robots, compared to computer based interactions, is that individuals can be exposed to a three-dimensional learning experience that more closely resembles situations in real life settings. For, example, in a previous study (Kumazaki et al 2017b ) that used a social robot for mock job interviews, it was found that the participants were exposed to a three-dimensional learning experience that simulated the challenging, and potentially anxiety-provoking situations, of job interviews in a controlled manner. Social robots with varying degrees of similarities to humans have potential to provide support for children with ASD in skill acquisition.…”