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Students from Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta have created a device called EMOKIDS, specifically designed to detect the emotions of children with autism. This innovation, developed by the UNS Student Creativity Programme (PKM) Karsa Cipta (KC) team, aims to assist parents and teachers in understanding the emotional states of autistic children. The development of EMOKIDS is tangible proof that digital technology can significantly contribute to education, especially Special Education (PLB).
EMOKIDS was developed by three UNS students with diverse academic backgrounds: Ananda Putra Kanieza from the Electrical Engineering Study Programme, Faculty of Engineering (FT); Siti Nurohmahwati from the Physics Education Study Programme, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP); and Ade Rifky Setiawan from the D-3 Informatics Engineering Programme, Vocational School (SV). The project was driven by their concern for the difficulties faced by children with autism in expressing emotions. Utilising their expertise in education and technology, the team decided to create an innovative solution to help autistic children communicate and express their feelings.
“Our main goal is to help educators in special schools identify and respond to the emotions of autistic children more efficiently. EMOKIDS is specifically designed to support the learning process and social interactions of autistic children. Educators can provide better attention and support according to their special needs,” said Ananda.
Under the guidance of Dr Eng Faisal Rahutomo, ST, MKom, EMOKIDS was designed to identify and monitor the emotions of children with autism in real-time. The device uses a combination of image processing and voice recognition technologies. The machine learning algorithms implemented in EMOKIDS can detect changes in facial movements, eye expressions, and body language associated with various emotions. The data collected is then processed and displayed through a mobile application that is easy for parents and educators to use.
The main advantage of EMOKIDS lies in its ability to quickly detect and alert users about children’s emotional states and its preventive approach. The device allows educators to plan appropriate interventions, creating a more conducive learning environment for autistic children. With this capability, educators can provide more specific and practical support based on each child’s emotional needs. Moreover, the technology is designed in an integrated prototype, making the development and production costs more affordable.
This technology-based approach represents an advancement in supporting children with autism. With EMOKIDS, educators can not only detect and respond to children’s emotions more effectively but also take preventive measures to prevent stress or anxiety in children. This is crucial as children with autism often struggle to express and manage their emotions. With this tool, it is hoped that they can feel more understood and supported in their learning and social interactions.
The successful development of EMOKIDS demonstrates that digital technology innovation can make a real difference in education, particularly in Special Education (PLB). The PKM Karsa Cipta (KC) UNS team hopes that the research and development of EMOKIDS can continue and provide even more significant benefits to society, especially for children with autism and their educational environments.
In this digital era, technological advancements have opened opportunities to create more sophisticated and effective assistive tools in various fields, including education. EMOKIDS is one example of how technology can be leveraged to develop innovative solutions that positively impact individuals with special needs. In the future, it is envisioned that more similar innovations will emerge to help improve the quality of life and education for children with autism worldwide.
EMOKIDS can provide accurate, real-time information about a child’s emotional state by integrating image processing and voice recognition technology. This enables parents and educators to take prompt and appropriate actions to provide support. This innovation functions as an assistive tool and serves as a bridge connecting the emotional world of autistic children with those around them, creating a more inclusive and empathetic environment.
