Project Fantom: Co-Designing a Robot for Demonstrating an Epileptic Seizure

• Main Authors: Zubrycki, Igor, Szafarczyk, Izabela, Granosik, Grzegorz
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Conferences; Education; Epilepsy; Psychology; Robot sensing systems; Stakeholders
• ISSN: 1944-9437
• DOI: 10.1109/ROMAN.2018.8525609

We present the methodology and results of designing a robot for presenting epileptic seizure. The goal of the project was to create a prototype device for series of pilot workshops for improving teachers reactions during an epileptic seizure and their attitudes towards epileptic students. Various design goals had to be accomplished to fit the needs of all of the stakeholders. We used a co-design (participatory design) approach though series of workshops participated by members of the association for epileptic patients, students, and faculty, members of the biomedical engineering and robotics departments, teachers, psychologists and medical specialists (epileptologist, neurologist). As the result of the co-designing process, an inexpensive robot was created and used in a series of 10 pilot workshops with 217 participants, mainly teachers of primary and middle schools. During the workshops, teachers improved their understanding of epilepsy and suggested various improvements for next runs of the workshop. Co-creation strategy used during the project resulted in a prototype robot that combined goals of various stakeholders, such as an accurate presentation of an epileptic seizure, ease of use and control, lightweight while preserving the dignity of persons with epilepsy.