Abstract

Cognitive and social communication disorders with low peer acceptance and decreased social support is common in children with acquired brain injury. Innovative technologies for touchscreen facilities (DiamondTouch Tabletop and multi-user multitouch tabletop (MMT) interfaces); virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) environments and social robots have a considerable potential among intervention methods. Today’s technology can be a safe and motivating way of engaging children in social interaction. VR creates a captivating synthetic environment for the user by simulating real-world scenarios. A MMT/VR combination has not been used previously; we have developed a novel technology model- PowerVR at Tartu University Children`s Clinic. Children will practise individually on VR and in pairs on MMT platforms under the guidance of therapists. Future aims comprise development of nonverbal communication tools using Mirror/ Mirror-ball VR therapies. Most attempts of current research are directed to designing of socially assistive robots (SAR). SAR are different from social robots in that they are expected to provide a broad range of services to support daily activities of users. The first version of a companion robot is called RoboChair.