School robot can tell if children are paying attention in the classroom

Teaching: It could be helpful in keeping boredom at bay

Scientists are developing robots that recognise human emotions by monitoring people's movements.
Computer programmers have found a way to code machines so that they can read a human's boredom by measuring how often they fidget.
These findings could pave the way for "empathic" robots or online teachers that can tell when a pupil is not paying attention, say scientists.
Researchers showed that boredom levels can be assessed by measuring "non-instrumental" small body movements - in other words, fidgeting.
When people are thoroughly absorbed in what they are watching or doing, they tend to fidget less.
Lead scientist Dr Harry Witchel, from Brighton and Sussex Medical School, said: "Our study showed that when someone is really highly engaged in what they're doing, they suppress these tiny involuntary movements.

 

Program: Robots could read human emotions

"It's the same as when a small child, who is normally constantly on the go, stares gaping at cartoons on the television without moving a muscle."
He said the discovery could have a significant impact on the development of artificial intelligence.
And there's potential to create online teaching schemes that adapt to students' level of interest and attempt to re-engage them if they show signs of boredom.


Empathic companion robots were another possibility thought up by techies.
And the technology could also be used to give movie directors or game makers an idea of how interesting or dull people think their creations are, said Dr Witchel.

 

Help: It could aid teachers in keeping pupils' attention

In the study, 27 participants were faced with three-minute computer sessions that ranged from fascinating games to tedious readings from EU banking regulations.
At the same time, video motion tracking technology was used to measure their movements.