Lieberman, J., Breazeal, C.

Abstract

When a human learns a new motor skill from a teacher, they learn using multiple channels: They receive high level information aurally about the skill, visual information about how another performs the skill, and at times, tactile information, from a teacher's physical guidance of the student. This research proposes a novel approach, the application of this tactile feedback through a robotic wearable system, while a student tries to learn from a teacher. Initial tests on a 5- DOF robotic suit show a decrease in motion errors of over 20%, and an accelerated learning rate of 7%, both conservative given the system setup and statistically very significant (p < 0.01). This research is intended in use of sports training, motor rehabilitation after neurological damage, dance, postural retraining for health, and many other contexts.