Vanderbilt University RASL

Congratulations Akshith! We are proud to have you as an alumni of RASL!

Our group had an amazing experience at the NSF Civic Forum in DC, where we wrapped up our 1-year grant for our driving simulator program! Our work aimed to address the transportation and employment challenges faced by autistic adults in the US using a cost-effective AI-based virtual driving instruction platform and a novel driving curriculum that teaches executive functioning and emotion regulation skills used to drive. It was great to see our project video showcased on the big screen and have many impactful discussions about the work we’ve done over the past year. Special thanks to the NSF CIVIC program (Vishal Sharma, Ph.D., Jacob Kravetz) and MetroLab Network (Kate Garman Burns, Rose Mische Commins) for making this event possible! Thank you to our team (Nilanjan Sarkar, Mary Baker-Ericzen, Keivan Stassun, Dave Caudel, Abigale Plunk, Devon Wilson, Juliette Meehan, Amanda Ferrell, MSc) and our many civic partners (Janet Atwater). Check out our project website: https://lnkd.in/dK3cvhqx

We are pleased to share our recent publication by Nibraas K., "Pilot study of a real-time early agitation capture technology (REACT) for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities." This research develops the REACT system, a real-time machine learning model that uses wearable technology to detect early signs of distress, or "agitations," in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including autism. Current behavioral assessments lack proactive tools like this, which can detect subtle signs imperceptible to the human eye. Our pilot study showed REACT detected agitations with a 78.69% F1 score at the moment of distress and 68.20% up to 20 seconds earlier. This real-time detection enhances safety and allows for earlier intervention. Thanks to our team, Abigale Plunk, Zhaobo Kevin Zheng, Deeksha Falk, John Staubitz, Amy Weitlauf, and Nilanjan Sarkar for their dedication to this work! https://lnkd.in/ech-5uUj

Congratulations to Dr. Sarkar and his team on their achievement!

We’re thrilled to have presented our recent work, "Design and Real-World Data Adaptation of Fuzzy Logic for Naturalistic Feedback from a Social Robot in a SAR-VR System for Apathy Intervention in Older Adults", led by Miroslava Kennedy at the CONNECT Workshop @ 24th ACM International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents in Glasgow. This research tackles the challenge of apathy in older adults in long-term care, which often leads to cognitive decline and reduced quality of life. We developed a system combining virtual reality and a socially assistive robot, Nao, to promote social engagement through music-based activities. A key innovation is using a fuzzy inference system (FIS) to provide personalized feedback during a VR music activity. By integrating real-world data from older adults, we created individualized FIS profiles that enhance interaction and engagement, improving the effectiveness of apathy interventions.

We’re pleased to share our recent study led by Abigale Plunk, "Exploring the Intersection of Autism, Theory of Mind, and Driving Performance in Novice Drivers." This research examines how Theory of Mind (ToM) abilities affect driving behaviors, focusing on novice drivers, including those with autism. Using our custom driving simulator, we found that lower ToM abilities were linked to less smooth driving and higher risk-taking. Autistic drivers displayed driving patterns similar to their non-autistic peers. Our findings highlight the need for tailored interventions to enhance driving safety and accessibility for autistic individuals. Special thanks to our team, Amy Weitlauf, Zachary Warren, Dan Levin, and Nilanjan Sarkar for their dedication to this work. https://lnkd.in/eAsnv6_d

Congratulations to our lab director Nilanjan Sarkar on his recent promotion to Vice Dean for the School of Engineering!

Excited to share this article highlighting our lab's ongoing NSF-funded research. Great work on this project, Nibraas K.!

Meet the Robotics and Autonomous Systems Lab (RASL) at Vanderbilt University, where cutting-edge technology meets real-world impact. At RASL, our mission is to develop new generations of robots and intelligent systems that interact with people smoothly and naturally. Our interdisciplinary collaborations bring together experts from engineering, computer science, psychology, and healthcare. By working closely with this diverse team, we turn cutting-edge research into practical solutions that address real-world challenges. Our projects focus on empowering neurodivergent individuals across various stages of life and reducing apathy and loneliness in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Follow us to stay updated on our ongoing projects. We look forward to sharing our research with you! #mechanicalengineering