**Abstract**

In this chapter, we describe the experience about the use of a humanoid robotic platform, in scenarios such as education and health in Mexico. The results obtained are commented on through the perspective of cultural, technological, and social aspects in the frameworks of education (from elementary to high school) and training of health professionals. The opening towards humanoid robotic systems in elementary school children, as well as health professionals, is not far from the acceptance due not only for the technological advancement but also for different social aspects. These two considerations influenced the results obtained and experiences achieved. At the same time, this chapter shows how humanoid robotics has functioned as a tool for final projects of undergraduate students.

**Keywords:** social robotics, assistive education, higher education, educational innovation

## **1. Introduction**

The implementation of biped and humanoid robots has increased during the last decade around the world. Depending on its characteristics, these robots can be implemented in different areas and domains, such as manufacture, agriculture, health, and education, among others. For the rest of this chapter, every reference will treat the last two applications mentioned, particularly rehabilitation, patient assistance, and elementary children's education.

Depending on the functionality of the robot, it can be classified into three different types [1], as seen in **Figure 1**. The first type of robot is called an assistance robot (AR). Its functionality is based only on giving physiological assistance to a patient that presents a physical disability or is recovering from a surgical operation. This type of robots regularly presents a basic structure, since they have one single task and the work environment does not vary too often.

On the other hand, as the name suggests, socially interactive robots (SIR) have the task of interacting with the end user with the sole purpose of generating a certain level of communication and entertainment to him. Generally, these platforms have a more complex design, since they need to detect and use human behavior patterns to achieve an efficient interaction.

### **Figure 1.**

*Classification of robots based on their functionality.*

Finally, the combination of the two prior types is called a socially assistive robot (SAR). These robots use close and empathic interaction with the user to assist in some didactic, educational, or rehabilitation process.

SAR robots are one of the most complex types of robot since it needs to resemble human behavior as much as possible to create the image of a personality and human-like behavior [2]. These two objectives allow the platform to generate empathy with the user and develop a more efficient communication with him. Also, by adequately reacting not only to the person but the environment as well, the robot is capable of performing multiple tasks.

Among all the different applications where robotics has been implemented, healthcare could be considered the area with the most impact on its use. It is usually divided into two categories: clinical and assistance. The purpose of the robots in assistance consists of the care of post-operation to help with the patient's recovery, or even to work as a substitute for a missing function in the patient's body. Another area of interest inside the healthcare is more focused on giving support to the patient on routine activities.

In the educational field, it has been recently considered that class methodologies should have an immediate application to daily life [3]. However, it is common that teachers do not know how to create innovative activities and promote student participation. One way of dealing with this problem has been with the implementation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve student inclusion and link class topics with a modern approach [4]. Unfortunately, not every docent has enough knowledge on how to use these new technologies, and the new technologies turn into distractors for the students. It is then necessary to train the teaching staff into better use of the platforms to achieve better results in class.

The following sections will describe the current situation in Mexico regarding healthcare and education and how the implementation of SAR technology has been capable of improving the quality of life of the research subjects.

### **2. Social situations in the Mexican population**

### **2.1 Assistive healthcare situation in Mexico**

According to the National Institute of Geography and Statistics (INEGI) of Mexico, approximately 6% of the population lives with a mental or physical

**49**

*Socially Assistive Robotics: State-of-the-Art Scenarios in Mexico*

Generally, they are classified into three categories [6]:

• Mental. It covers learning and socializing difficulties.

disability [5]. Every person that presents a physical, mental, and sensorial deficiency can be considered with a temporary or permanent disability. These disabilities limit their capabilities for performing one or more daily life routines and can be

There are multiple types of disability that affect different parts of the body.

• Motor. Consists of problems related to walking, manipulating objects, and

From these three categories, the motor disability is more frequent on the economically active population, while the other two types are more prone to appear in

Occupational therapy is defined as a client-centered health profession that promotes health and well-being through occupation, enabling people to participate in daily life activities [7]. At the same time, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) states that the use of assistive technology promotes indepen-

In recent years, the implementation of socially assistive robots has been more frequent in Mexico, particularly during therapies with children with autistic specter, older people, and people with a motor disability. During these therapies, the behaviors of both patient and robot are observed during the performance of different occupational activities. Unfortunately, despite the promising results, there are still difficulties with a broader implementation due to economic restrictions. Another occupational therapy study was held by the Physics and Rehabilitation

dence in the patient, facilitating his participation in daily life routines [8].

National Medical Center. In this case, they studied how to detect patients with a vascular brain disease and determine if he was a viable candidate for robotic

Mexican education is divided into four different levels, each with its competences and topics to teach to their students [10]. For every level, there are specific topics regarding reading, mathematics, and science that every student needs to develop in society and further education levels. The primary purpose of the class methodologies applied is to develop the student's creativity and logical thinking,

Despite the efforts of the Mexican government to improve education levels, its performance on those three levels has been inefficient during the last years. The results of the PISA test held by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showed that Mexico has a deficient performance compared to other nations. From 77 evaluated nations, Mexico is located at 52nd, 59th, and

On national evaluations, it was also observed that 62% of Mexican students have a deficient performance in language and communication tasks, while 89.5% fail on

Even though the use of ICTs has been implemented in several schools, there is still the necessity of training instructors to understand how to use these new technologies

**2.2 Educational perspective from elementary to high school level**

allowing them to structure their ideas and arguments [11].

55th place in reading, mathematics, and science, respectively [12].

• Sensorial and communication. Includes sight, hearing, and speaking

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91446*

aggravated by social and economic factors.

disabilities.

coordination.

younger people [5].

rehabilitation [9].

mathematics [13].

*Industrial Robotics - New Paradigms*

**Figure 1.**

Finally, the combination of the two prior types is called a socially assistive robot (SAR). These robots use close and empathic interaction with the user to assist in

Among all the different applications where robotics has been implemented, healthcare could be considered the area with the most impact on its use. It is usually divided into two categories: clinical and assistance. The purpose of the robots in assistance consists of the care of post-operation to help with the patient's recovery, or even to work as a substitute for a missing function in the patient's body. Another area of interest inside the healthcare is more focused on giving support to the patient on routine activities. In the educational field, it has been recently considered that class methodologies should have an immediate application to daily life [3]. However, it is common that teachers do not know how to create innovative activities and promote student participation. One way of dealing with this problem has been with the implementation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve student inclusion and link class topics with a modern approach [4]. Unfortunately, not every docent has enough knowledge on how to use these new technologies, and the new technologies turn into distractors for the students. It is then necessary to train the teaching staff into better use of the platforms to achieve better results in class. The following sections will describe the current situation in Mexico regarding healthcare and education and how the implementation of SAR technology has been

SAR robots are one of the most complex types of robot since it needs to resemble human behavior as much as possible to create the image of a personality and human-like behavior [2]. These two objectives allow the platform to generate empathy with the user and develop a more efficient communication with him. Also, by adequately reacting not only to the person but the environment as well, the robot

some didactic, educational, or rehabilitation process.

capable of improving the quality of life of the research subjects.

According to the National Institute of Geography and Statistics (INEGI) of Mexico, approximately 6% of the population lives with a mental or physical

**2. Social situations in the Mexican population**

**2.1 Assistive healthcare situation in Mexico**

is capable of performing multiple tasks.

*Classification of robots based on their functionality.*

**48**

disability [5]. Every person that presents a physical, mental, and sensorial deficiency can be considered with a temporary or permanent disability. These disabilities limit their capabilities for performing one or more daily life routines and can be aggravated by social and economic factors.

There are multiple types of disability that affect different parts of the body. Generally, they are classified into three categories [6]:


From these three categories, the motor disability is more frequent on the economically active population, while the other two types are more prone to appear in younger people [5].

Occupational therapy is defined as a client-centered health profession that promotes health and well-being through occupation, enabling people to participate in daily life activities [7]. At the same time, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) states that the use of assistive technology promotes independence in the patient, facilitating his participation in daily life routines [8].

In recent years, the implementation of socially assistive robots has been more frequent in Mexico, particularly during therapies with children with autistic specter, older people, and people with a motor disability. During these therapies, the behaviors of both patient and robot are observed during the performance of different occupational activities. Unfortunately, despite the promising results, there are still difficulties with a broader implementation due to economic restrictions.

Another occupational therapy study was held by the Physics and Rehabilitation National Medical Center. In this case, they studied how to detect patients with a vascular brain disease and determine if he was a viable candidate for robotic rehabilitation [9].

### **2.2 Educational perspective from elementary to high school level**

Mexican education is divided into four different levels, each with its competences and topics to teach to their students [10]. For every level, there are specific topics regarding reading, mathematics, and science that every student needs to develop in society and further education levels. The primary purpose of the class methodologies applied is to develop the student's creativity and logical thinking, allowing them to structure their ideas and arguments [11].

Despite the efforts of the Mexican government to improve education levels, its performance on those three levels has been inefficient during the last years. The results of the PISA test held by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showed that Mexico has a deficient performance compared to other nations. From 77 evaluated nations, Mexico is located at 52nd, 59th, and 55th place in reading, mathematics, and science, respectively [12].

On national evaluations, it was also observed that 62% of Mexican students have a deficient performance in language and communication tasks, while 89.5% fail on mathematics [13].

Even though the use of ICTs has been implemented in several schools, there is still the necessity of training instructors to understand how to use these new technologies properly. Depending on the scenario, level, and topics to teach, there are different ways on how to operate robotic platforms as a supportive tool for the teacher.
