Aria
a study companion for students with ADHD
Aria is an interactive study companion designed to support university students with ADHD. By leveraging social robotics, behavioural monitoring, and a multi-sensory feedback system, Aria enhances motivation, time perception, and study engagement.
Aria is an interactive study companion designed to support university students with ADHD. By leveraging social robotics, behavioural monitoring, and a multi-sensory feedback system, Aria enhances motivation, time perception, and study engagement.
Aria is an interactive study companion designed to support university students with ADHD. By leveraging social robotics, behavioural monitoring, and a multi-sensory feedback system, Aria enhances motivation, time perception, and study engagement.
role
research and design
role
research and design
role
research and design
timeline
February to November 2024
timeline
February to November 2024
timeline
February to November 2024
project type
honours capstone project
project type
honours capstone project
project type
honours capstone project
the problem
the problem
the problem
Each year, 40,000 students drop out of Australian universities due to ADHD. Many students with ADHD struggle with focus, motivation, and time management, leading to high university dropout rates. Traditional study tools often fail to provide the real-time support that can be most impactful for this group. Traditional study tools often fail to provide the real-time support that can be most impactful for this group.
Each year, 40,000 students drop out of Australian universities due to ADHD. Many students with ADHD struggle with focus, motivation, and time management, leading to high university dropout rates. Traditional study tools often fail to provide the real-time support that can be most impactful for this group. Traditional study tools often fail to provide the real-time support that can be most impactful for this group.
Each year, 40,000 students drop out of Australian universities due to ADHD. Many students with ADHD struggle with focus, motivation, and time management, leading to high university dropout rates. Traditional study tools often fail to provide the real-time support that can be most impactful for this group. Traditional study tools often fail to provide the real-time support that can be most impactful for this group.
research and development
research and development
research and development
To understand the challenges students with ADHD face, primary and secondary research was conducted, including user interviews, observation studies, and expert consultations in cognitive psychology and social robotics.
Research Methods
In-depth interviews were conducted with three university students diagnosed with ADHD, focusing on their study habits, challenges with task initiation, and how they manage distractions.
Observational studies focused on both the behavioural patterns and the study environment of the students, including how they interacts with surroundings while studying.
Expert Consultations
Discussions with experts in cognitive psychology and social robotics provided insights into how interactive design and sensory feedback could enhance attention and motivation.
To understand the challenges students with ADHD face, primary and secondary research was conducted, including user interviews, observation studies, and expert consultations in cognitive psychology and social robotics.
Research Methods
In-depth interviews were conducted with three university students diagnosed with ADHD, focusing on their study habits, challenges with task initiation, and how they manage distractions.
Observational studies focused on both the behavioural patterns and the study environment of the students, including how they interacts with surroundings while studying.
Expert Consultations
Discussions with experts in cognitive psychology and social robotics provided insights into how interactive design and sensory feedback could enhance attention and motivation.
To understand the challenges students with ADHD face, primary and secondary research was conducted, including user interviews, observation studies, and expert consultations in cognitive psychology and social robotics.
Research Methods
In-depth interviews were conducted with three university students diagnosed with ADHD, focusing on their study habits, challenges with task initiation, and how they manage distractions.
Observational studies focused on both the behavioural patterns and the study environment of the students, including how they interacts with surroundings while studying.
Expert Consultations
Discussions with experts in cognitive psychology and social robotics provided insights into how interactive design and sensory feedback could enhance attention and motivation.
Pepper, a semi-humanoid social robot.
key findings and pain points
key findings and pain points
key findings and pain points
Prolonged Focus & Motivation Issues
Students struggled to initiate and sustain focus during study due to dopamine regulation differences typical of ADHD.
Prolonged Focus & Motivation Issues
Students struggled to initiate and sustain focus during study due to dopamine regulation differences typical of ADHD.
Prolonged Focus & Motivation Issues
Students struggled to initiate and sustain focus during study due to dopamine regulation differences typical of ADHD.
Time Perception & Management Struggles
Many experienced time blindness, making it difficult to estimate task duration. Existing solutions often increased cognitive load rather than reducing it.
Time Perception & Management Struggles
Many experienced time blindness, making it difficult to estimate task duration. Existing solutions often increased cognitive load rather than reducing it.
Time Perception & Management Struggles
Many experienced time blindness, making it difficult to estimate task duration. Existing solutions often increased cognitive load rather than reducing it.
Study Anxiety & Isolation
Negative study experiences led to avoidance behaviours and procrastination. While body doubling improved focus, students lacked consistent access to a study partner.
Study Anxiety & Isolation
Negative study experiences led to avoidance behaviours and procrastination. While body doubling improved focus, students lacked consistent access to a study partner.
Study Anxiety & Isolation
Negative study experiences led to avoidance behaviours and procrastination. While body doubling improved focus, students lacked consistent access to a study partner.
These insights led to the core question
These insights led to the core question
These insights led to the core question
How might we use design to improve the study experience and boost productivity for university students with ADHD?
How might we use design to improve the study experience and boost productivity for university students with ADHD?
How might we use design to improve the study experience and boost productivity for university students with ADHD?
This question shaped Aria’s social engagement, real-time adaptive feedback, and intuitive time management solutions.
This question shaped Aria’s social engagement, real-time adaptive feedback, and intuitive time management solutions.
This question shaped Aria’s social engagement, real-time adaptive feedback, and intuitive time management solutions.
key design solutions
key design solutions
key design solutions
Social Robotics for Study Engagement
Mimic human-like gestures through abstract, posture-driven morphology and movement, to reduce study-related anxiety through subtle, responsive social interactions.
Social Robotics for Study Engagement
Mimic human-like gestures through abstract, posture-driven morphology and movement, to reduce study-related anxiety through subtle, responsive social interactions.
Social Robotics for Study Engagement
Mimic human-like gestures through abstract, posture-driven morphology and movement, to reduce study-related anxiety through subtle, responsive social interactions.
Sensory Reward System to Boost Motivation
Employ an AI-powered, privacy-preserving activity monitoring method that detects focus levels, while using engaging visual, auditory, and emotional feedback to re-engage users.
Sensory Reward System to Boost Motivation
Employ an AI-powered, privacy-preserving activity monitoring method that detects focus levels, while using engaging visual, auditory, and emotional feedback to re-engage users.
Sensory Reward System to Boost Motivation
Employ an AI-powered, privacy-preserving activity monitoring method that detects focus levels, while using engaging visual, auditory, and emotional feedback to re-engage users.
Time Perception & Management Enhancements
Automated and adaptive session recommendations based on machine learning insights to reduce cognitive load.
Time Perception & Management Enhancements
Automated and adaptive session recommendations based on machine learning insights to reduce cognitive load.
Time Perception & Management Enhancements
Automated and adaptive session recommendations based on machine learning insights to reduce cognitive load.
early concepts and prototyping
early concepts and prototyping
early concepts and prototyping
As Aria was primarily a concept-driven project, early development focused on form, movement, and interaction possibilities, rather than building a functional prototype. The goal was to define how Aria would behave as a study companion, ensuring its design and interactions were engaging and non-intrusive.
To develop Aria’s interaction style, I conducted human posture studies, analysing how subtle social gestures could be abstracted into a robotic form. This research informed the design of Aria’s movement system, where expressive, posture-driven gestures would help create a sense of social presence and support. I also explored conceptual models and sketches, testing different physical forms and screen placements to optimise usability and visibility.
As Aria was primarily a concept-driven project, early development focused on form, movement, and interaction possibilities, rather than building a functional prototype. The goal was to define how Aria would behave as a study companion, ensuring its design and interactions were engaging and non-intrusive.
To develop Aria’s interaction style, I conducted human posture studies, analysing how subtle social gestures could be abstracted into a robotic form. This research informed the design of Aria’s movement system, where expressive, posture-driven gestures would help create a sense of social presence and support. I also explored conceptual models and sketches, testing different physical forms and screen placements to optimise usability and visibility.
As Aria was primarily a concept-driven project, early development focused on form, movement, and interaction possibilities, rather than building a functional prototype. The goal was to define how Aria would behave as a study companion, ensuring its design and interactions were engaging and non-intrusive.
To develop Aria’s interaction style, I conducted human posture studies, analysing how subtle social gestures could be abstracted into a robotic form. This research informed the design of Aria’s movement system, where expressive, posture-driven gestures would help create a sense of social presence and support. I also explored conceptual models and sketches, testing different physical forms and screen placements to optimise usability and visibility.
iterations and concept refinement
iterations and concept refinement
iterations and concept refinement
Refinement of Aria’s design was guided by peer feedback, research insights, and expert consultations. Iterations focused on enhancing engagement and integrating key technological elements to create a concept that felt intuitive and impactful.
Technology Exploration
Key technological components were explored to define Aria’s interactive experience:
LCD display to provide clear, minimal visual feedback without distractions.
Radio frequency transmitter and receiver system was employed as a privacy-preserving method to detect study engagement through body movement and radio disruptions.
Multi-axis stepper motor and magnetic track system were developed to allow smooth, expressive gestures, enhancing Aria’s ability to mimic social interaction.
Refinement of Aria’s design was guided by peer feedback, research insights, and expert consultations. Iterations focused on enhancing engagement and integrating key technological elements to create a concept that felt intuitive and impactful.
Technology Exploration
Key technological components were explored to define Aria’s interactive experience:
LCD display to provide clear, minimal visual feedback without distractions.
Radio frequency transmitter and receiver system was employed as a privacy-preserving method to detect study engagement through body movement and radio disruptions.
Multi-axis stepper motor and magnetic track system were developed to allow smooth, expressive gestures, enhancing Aria’s ability to mimic social interaction.
Refinement of Aria’s design was guided by peer feedback, research insights, and expert consultations. Iterations focused on enhancing engagement and integrating key technological elements to create a concept that felt intuitive and impactful.
Technology Exploration
Key technological components were explored to define Aria’s interactive experience:
LCD display to provide clear, minimal visual feedback without distractions.
Radio frequency transmitter and receiver system was employed as a privacy-preserving method to detect study engagement through body movement and radio disruptions.
Multi-axis stepper motor and magnetic track system were developed to allow smooth, expressive gestures, enhancing Aria’s ability to mimic social interaction.
