How Co-design and Personas can Inform Game Implementation for Robot-assisted Speech Therapy in Clinical Settings

摘要

This paper presents a co-designed robot system developed through an 22-month collaboration with Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) for the use in real-world therapeutic setting. We created persona profiles of SLPs and children with speech and language challenges to inform the development of five game types for two age groups (0-4 and 5-9 years). The system integrates a robot platform with a web-based application that facilitates real-time interaction during therapy sessions. Each game addresses specific therapeutic needs, using the developed child personas as a reference point. Prototype testing with SLPs through role-playing sessions revealed usability insights that led to system refinements, including enhanced robot dialogue, age-appropriate content adjustments, and additional interactive features. The resulting system demonstrates how human-centered design can create robotic system that addresses the practical challenges faced by SLPs and children in therapeutic settings.