At CRAIF, an event to launch a unique experiment on autism with families
A day of training at the heart of innovation for autism
On January 28th, as part of our commitment to innovation in support of autism, we recently had the pleasure of organizing an exceptional training day in partnership with the CRAIF (Autism Resource Center of Île-de-France). This meeting marked the launch of a unique pilot program directly involving individuals: 24 volunteer families will welcome the Buddy robot into their homes for three months.
This initiative is part of a concrete approach: to allow families of autistic children to test, in real-life conditions, the benefits of a robotic companion designed to promote interaction, learning, and well-being in daily life.
A 3-month trial in private homes
The trial period following this training is a key step. For three months, families will integrate Buddy into their daily lives to assess its real impact.
This trial phase will allow us to:
- Assess families’ interest in the solution
- Gather concrete feedback from individuals
- Adjust features based on actual usage
This user-centric approach is essential for designing solutions that are truly adapted to the needs on the ground.
CRAIF, a key partner in supporting families
The CRAIF (Regional Center for Autism in Île-de-France) plays a vital role in supporting autistic individuals and their families in the Île-de-France region. By hosting us at their facilities, they created an ideal setting for this training day, which was educational, welcoming, and focused on hands-on experience.
This collaboration reflects a shared commitment: to offer innovative and practical solutions to individuals affected by autism, based on validated approaches and appropriate technological tools.
In addition to families, some CRAIF professionals were present during the day. Their participation enriched the discussions and provided expert insights into the use of Buddy in the context of autism.
This synergy between individuals and professionals is central to our innovation approach.
Introducing Buddy: a companion robot for people with autism
At the heart of this day, families were able to discover Buddy, our companion robot designed to interact intuitively and kindly with children.
Buddy offers a wide range of features adapted to the specific needs of autistic children:
Buddy offers a wide range of features adapted to the specific needs of autistic children:
- Educational games that promote learning
- Interactive activities to develop social skills
- Mediation tools to facilitate communication
- Support for daily routines
- Cognitive and emotional stimulation
The goal is not to replace human interaction, but to offer complementary support to families and professionals by creating a reassuring and engaging environment.
It can be used in various contexts:
- At home, to support routines
- In educational or community settings
- To support learning
- To foster social interaction
Its ability to capture attention and create a unique bond with the child makes it a valuable ally.
Innovation serving real needs
The experiment conducted with CRAIF is part of a broader approach: placing the needs of families at the heart of technological development.
In the field of autism, each child is unique. It is therefore essential to offer flexible, adaptable, and scalable tools.
Buddy was designed with this in mind:
- Adapting to different child profiles
- Offering personalized interactions
- Evolving based on user feedback
- Complementing existing educational approaches
A family-centered approach
Individuals are at the heart of this project. They are the ones who experience the challenges of autism on a daily basis, and their feedback is essential for improving the solutions offered.
By directly involving families:
- We value their practical expertise.
- We co-create tailored solutions.
- We foster collaborative innovation.
This participatory approach is essential for developing truly useful technologies.
Testimonial: The enthusiasm of the participating families
One of the highlights of the day was the enthusiasm expressed by the families, who were both curious and engaged in this experiment.
Here is the inspiring testimony of one participant, shared after the event:
“Buddy is coming to our house soon!
This morning I went to the Autism House for a short training session to become a family tester for a future companion for 3 months!
I’m leaving with lots of ideas to try out with the children at home and a little voice telling me that for our Scolairement Autre coworking space, a little Buddy would be the perfect companion for the teenagers.
Buddy, we’re eagerly awaiting your arrival, and believe me, you won’t be idle at our house!
Thank you for this opportunity, and if you ever feel like donating one to our association, rest assured that our teenagers will adopt it with pleasure.
I am the mother of three neurodivergent children and neurodivergent myself. To help my children survive the school system, we had to create a customized learning path for them.
But the lack of social interaction led us to open an innovative space: a coworking space for teenagers with atypical schooling.”
This feedback perfectly illustrates the interest of individuals in innovative solutions like Buddy, but also the challenges they face on a daily basis.
Towards a new generation of tools for autism
This experiment marks a significant step in the development of technological solutions for autism.
It paves the way for:
- A better understanding of how it’s used
- Continuous improvement of features
- Wider distribution to individuals and professionals
The long-term goal is clear: to make these innovations accessible to as many people as possible.
The training day organized at CRAIF laid the groundwork for an ambitious and meaningful pilot project.
Thanks to the involvement of families, professionals, and our team, this initiative represents a concrete step forward in supporting autistic individuals.
The coming months will be crucial in measuring Buddy’s impact on people’s daily lives and in continuing to develop this innovative solution.
How does Buddy create a concrete impact?
Buddy is not just a robot.
It’s an interactive companion, designed to provide real human benefits, tailored to different needs and audiences.
For students and teachers
Buddy is an interactive educational tool that engages students, supports learning, and assists teachers in their innovative practices.
For children suffering from TnD
Through its playful and guided interaction, Buddy helps to stimulate attention, learning and social skills in children with autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders.
For seniors experiencing a loss of autonomy
Buddy accompanies daily routines, strengthens social bonds and supports the well-being of elderly people in institutions or at home.
For businesses
BUDDY is a unique brand ambassador, who welcomes, guides and informs visitors while offering interactive entertainment.
Thanks to these principles, Buddy transforms technology into a concrete tool for creating connections, stimulating interaction, and providing human-centered support in everyday life.
BUY BUDDY!
If you’d like to purchase Buddy, don’t hesitate any longer and fill out our quote request form by clicking on the link below.