Landri Domingue | January 26th, 2025
The Robotics and Autonomous Systems Laboratory (RASL) at Vanderbilt aims to “design and develop novel robotic and virtual reality systems for human-robot and human-computer interactions.” While this area of focus can apply to many fields, RASL finds its mission in aiding those with autism, schizophrenia, and dementia. The lab focuses on human pattern recognition and signal processing to design and implement new machine learning and control algorithms. Here are some of the RASL’s recent projects.
Career Interview Readiness in Virtual Reality (CIRVR)
The goal of this project is to provide an interactive, engaging, and personalized virtual mock interview to help autistic individuals practice interviewing in a “low-anxiety or low-stress virtual environment.” The project also seeks visual data to optimize the system for users to be better equipped to navigate professional interviews. Those with autism often face many challenges in an interview setting due to a variety of reasons, such as unexpected interruptions and anxiety. What sets CIRVR apart from current simulated interview tools is that it uses real-time physiological signal processing, allowing the system to accurately gauge a user’s state during an interview. From this, the system can adapt its process and mold the virtual experience to match the user, providing a personalized experience.
The researchers behind this project are Dr. Nilanjan Sarkar and Deeksha Adiani. Dr. Sarkar serves as the Vice Dean and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at the School of Engineering, specializing in cyber-physical systems and rehabilitation engineering.
Adiani is a graduate research assistant and Computer Science Ph.D. student at Vanderbilt whose interests include mathematics, algorithms, robotics, and user interface development for software.
Augmented Reality Collaboration (ARC) Framework for Mitigating Loneliness in Older Adults
24 percent of US adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, with 43 percent of adults aged 60 and older reporting feeling lonely. Social isolation is a term to classify when a person lacks common and frequent social interactions with others, especially outside of their usual community. Social isolation and loneliness can have many negative health impacts such as increased risk of heart disease and stroke, depression and anxiety, or an earlier death.
RASL is working to combat social isolation and loneliness in older adults through new augmented reality technology designed to mimic real social interactions. Through creating realistic three-dimensional images of family members, the augmented reality system will allow the user to participate in common daily activities such as eating meals, playing cards, and drinking tea.
The project is led by Dr. Lorraine Mion and Dr. Nilanjan Sarkar along with Ph.D students Akshith Ullal and Mahrukh Tauseef. Ullal’s research interests lie in rehabilitation robotics, human-computer interactions, and machine learning. Tauseef’s research interests include technology, deep learning, and human-computer interactions. Dr. Mion is a research professor and registered nurse with expertise in geriatrics, quality improvement, and implementation science. Mion works on socially assistive robotic systems and augmented reality for older adults with cognitive impairment.
Through these projects, the RASL is committed to improving the lives of people affected by autism, schizophrenia, or dementia. The laboratory continues to seek new ways to utilize robotic and virtual-reality systems to aid these causes through studies focusing on human-robot and human-computer interactions.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, March 26). Health Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness. Social Connection. https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/risk-factors/index.html
National Academies of Sciences, E., Education, D. of B. and S. S. and, Division, H. and M., Board on Behavioral, C., Policy, B. on H. S., & Adults, C. on the H. and M. D. of S. I. and L. in O. (2020). Summary. In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557972/
Weber, G. (2022, August 23). Research. Vanderbilt University. https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/rasl/research/
Weber, G. (2022, August 23). Career Interview Readiness in Virtual Reality (CIRVR). Vanderbilt University. https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/rasl/research/virtual-reality-for-autism/
Weber, G. (2022, September 7). Augmented Reality Collaboration (ARC) Framework for Mitigating Loneliness in Older Adults. Vanderbilt University. https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/rasl/research/collaborative-augmented-reality-car-framework-for-mitigating-loneliness-in-older-adults/