GoBots help young children to be more active

(OCTOBER 17, 2024) Are you a parent? Do you want your toddler (young child) to be more active? Robots can help!

Moving around is important for children. It helps them grow healthy and strong. Oregon State University says robots can help toddlers move more.

Scientists watched 8 toddlers. They were 2 to 3 years old. They played once a week for two months. They played with toys. They also had a robot. The robot's name was GoBot. It is soft, and it has wheels.

Scientists looked at three things:

1. Gobot was in the room, but it didn't move. Toddlers could push or pull it.

2. GoBot moved around in a game. However, another person controlled it.

3. GoBot moved by itself. It made fun sounds, lights, or bubbles.

What did the scientists learn? The toddlers moved more when GoBot moved. They thought it was a friend. They thought it was fun.