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CARETOY

A Modular Smart System for Infants' Rehabilitation At Home based on Mechatronic Toys

Stroke and other neurological conditions affect the population of infants in percentages that cannot be considered marginal.

Currently, infants have rehabilitation sessions few times a week in rehabilitation centres but according to basic neuroscience it would be necessary to provide them with an early, intensive and multiaxial intervention.

The aim of CareToy is to promote early intervention in the first year of life and to reinforce therapy by a telemonitored portable low cost smart system, designed to augment the clinical effectiveness of the therapy while reducing cost.

Based on the concept of affordance a kit of 4 toys, inspired by existing toys realized for infants, has been designed and developed. A purposive electronic board has been developed around the iNemo by ST Microelectronics. Toys hardware contains: pressure sensors (LPS331AP), inertial sensor (iNemo), force sensors (FSR by Interlink) and multicolour LEDs for light feedback.
CareToy - Mickey A cylinder equipped with one pressure sensor and lights inside the main body of the toy, with two small petals embedding a force sensor and a light in their central part.
CareToy - UToy A horseshoe composed of two cylinders with a pressure sensor and lights in each side.
CareToy CareToy - Large Ring A ring equipped with pressure sensors and lights inside the toy.
CareToy - Small ring A ring with thin cross-section diameter (for younger infants) equipped with lights to attract infants' attention.
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