Developing the IROMEC Robot for Play: Results from the first experimental Trials

The IROMEC (Interactive RObotic social MEdiators as Companions) is a EU funded research project designed for children who because of a disability are unable to play, is to create an interactive robotic system that can sustain development of ludic activities. The paper presents the results of the experimentations carried out with the first prototype of IROMEC and other robotic toys, implementing play scenarios focused on children’s real needs, with the objective of increasing their individual playing abilities and exploiting the social mediation function of the robot. Results of these first trials conducted by the Aosta research team are discussed, both with respect to the technological and to the methodological aspects, for further implementation of the IROMEC robot.