Lleida is trialling a new social robot called Buddy to help children and adolescents aged 8 to 16 manage emotions, improve social interaction and prevent bullying. The project, Robsis-Robot Social, uses technology to support emotional development in young people.
Researchers from the University of Girona, working with Grup Saltó, created Buddy to interact with users and help them identify and express feelings. Felipe Rodrigo, one of the project developers, said the robot has a face that reacts to user input and shows emotions such as joy, love and anger.
Users are asked to say how they feel, choosing from options such as happy, angry, stressed or sad. Buddy then shows three videos designed to prompt reflection on the characters' experiences and encourage users to express their own feelings afterwards.
Rodrigo said the process helps children distinguish between emotions that are often grouped together, such as sadness, nostalgia and loneliness. He said the aim is to support emotional development and improve social relations.
The project has also been tested in four Socio-educational Intervention Services, or SIS, centres in Lleida and other centres across Catalonia. Rodrigo said children and adolescents respond well to the sessions, stay motivated and learn through play and interaction.
Carlos Enjuanes, Lleida's deputy mayor for social action and innovation, tested Buddy at the Calidoscopi Open Centre in Mariola. He said the project could have uses beyond SIS centres, including within the minor's plan for young people who are not legally accountable, where social intervention options are limited. More Catalonia-wide local news is available on our news page.