An interactive robotic companion designed specifically for children with special needs, such as autism and other developmental disabilities, to spark their motivation and help them learn, play & progress.
Leka is an interactive robot designed for children with special needs, such as autism and other developmental disabilities.
Leka is a tool for parents & therapists to support education in an easier, more efficient and more constant way. Leka is an interactive and multi-sensory smart toy, offering children with special needs the ability to play fun and educational games that motivates social interactions, that increase motor, cognitive, and emotional skills, as well as stimulates autonomy.
Based on papers published in peer reviewed sources, Leka has been developed hand-in-hand with parents, therapists and caregivers, to aid in a variety of settings. From the office, to schools, to home, Leka is making therapy easier, more efficient, and more accessible.
A companion to stimulate social interaction.
Games & robots have shown great potential to help children with impared communication and social interactions. Today we are combining the power of both, in one solution: Leka.
An interface to open to real world. A full range of sensory stimulations, able to spark curiosity, enjoyment, and encourage social inter-action with parents, siblings, therapists... A dedicated tool to help exceptional children connect with the real world and make them progress.
From a motivational toy to an educational tool.
Through play, Leka creates the opportunity of using the robot to achieve faster progress. To do so, Leka offers a large, and evolving, array of applications to work on communication, sensory and motor skills, and cognitive learnings.
Leka has been designed to work within established comprehensive behavioral intervention approach and developmental curriculum (ABA, TEACCH, ESDM…).
Years of research on social robotics and developmental psychology has shown the learning potential of robots for children with Autism.
Leka is aligned with research-based developmental milestones. Our educational applications are designed through qualitative studies, direct observation of children using Leka, and has been validated by the French Advisory & Scientific Board, an organization composed of some of France’s top researchers, therapists, caregivers, entrepreneurs and organization executives.
The importance of Design.
As the designer of the team, my role is to design a smooth experience for both the children and their caregivers. By using feedback from our first users, I create the interfaces of the iOS app while working with the programmers. I am also responsible for the industrial design aspects of the robot, building the physical prototype while considering the mechanical and electronical constraints.