EmoPLAY

EmoPLAY is a technological solution designed for social skills training in children and teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The innovation of EmoPLAY lies in its utilization of computer vision and machine learning techniques to capture the expressions of individuals with ASD, aiding them in regulating their emotions through an interactive game. Employing a webcam positioned in front of the user, the system analyzes the image in real-time, encompassing face location, pre-processing, feature extraction, and classification. This allows for instantaneous feedback to guide emotion modulation through automatic responses.

The operating process of EmoPLAY unfolds as follows:

1. Introduction to emotions and personalized suggestion of prototypical scenarios
2. Tailored recommendations for facial expressions
3. Virtual reflection: displaying the user's image on-screen along with automatic recognition of facial expressions
4. Personalized feedback linked to positive reinforcement upon successful alignment with step 3

The application has been trained to identify facial expressions in users aged between 6 and 16 years. While usability with individuals of other age groups is feasible, it may not ensure identical efficacy in facial recognition algorithms for those cases.

EmoPLAY presents itself as a forward-thinking product within the e-Health sector, offering the flexibility to work on understanding and displaying emotions globally, tailored to mobile devices. Given the widespread distribution of autism spectrum disorders worldwide, this adaptability holds significant value. Furthermore, this product showcases potential applicability in other conditions beyond autism spectrum disorders.