Affective computing and autism

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006 Dec:1093:228-48. doi: 10.1196/annals.1382.016.

Abstract

This article highlights the overlapping and converging goals and challenges of autism research and affective computing. We propose that a collaboration between autism research and affective computing could lead to several mutually beneficial outcomes--from developing new tools to assist people with autism in understanding and operating in the socioemotional world around them, to developing new computational models and theories that will enable technology to be modified to provide an overall better socioemotional experience to all people who use it. This article describes work toward this convergence at the MIT Media Lab, and anticipates new research that might arise from the interaction between research into autism, technology, and human socioemotional intelligence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asperger Syndrome / psychology
  • Autistic Disorder / psychology*
  • Behavior*
  • Computational Biology*
  • Empathy*
  • Humans
  • Interdisciplinary Communication*