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The efficiency and comfort of daily tasks are intricately shaped by the dynamic interaction between users and technology. User perceptions wield significant influence over initial judgments, impacting user behavior, attitudes, and the overall connection with the product. In the context of childhood development, the influence of toys on accurate sensory integration within the environment is particularly important, especially for children with autism spectrum disorder, whose sensory responses differ from typically developing children. During the design phase, the correct selection of materials and manufacturing processes ensure a seamless and comfortable interaction between children and products. This includes safety, lightweight construction, enhanced sensory engagement, durability against environmental conditions, environmental sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. There is very limited scientific literature dedicated to the analysis of essential material properties for toys, particularly none were found for children with autism. This work studies the main material properties (both technical and design-related) that need to be considered when designing products for children with autism. A multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) was performed using the Ansys Granta Edupack software to establish an optimized selection of materials and manufacturing processes. To prioritize the essential material properties, the multi-criteria analysis considered three variable groups: (1) technical and design properties based on two sensory profiles (hypersensitive and hyposensitive user), (2) social properties, and (3) economic, quality, and environmental properties. The proposal is applied in a case study of the design of a smart toy.

Visual stimulation has a great impact on the emotional and cognitive development of children. Visual perception of products influences the first decisions of the user, and it is key to instilling trust during first impressions. For this reason, visual qualities play an important role in perceptions, expectations, and product choices. It is essential to pursue rich visual designs that have a positive impact on children. This is even more relevant for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who tend to experience sensory stimuli differently than typically developing children, which affects their daily performance. Studies claim that although they can vary within the sensory range, children with ASD are usually at one end of the sensitivity spectrum, meaning that they have insufficient or exaggerated responses, therefore presenting hypo- or hypersensitivity, respectively. This means that for products to be safe, comfortable, and easy to use, they must be adapted to the specific type of sensitivity of the child. However, most products are aimed at autism in general but are not adapted to each type of sensitivity, leading to frustration and rejection in many cases. This work explores the specific design guidelines and parameters for each type of visual sensitivity and concludes that the design must aim for different purposes, visual stimulation, or relaxation, depending on the type of sensitivity. It implements these findings by redesigning a multifunctional toy for hyper- and hyposensitivity, with the aim of demonstrating the importance of adapting products to the specific type of visual sensitivity of these children.

El sentido del tacto es esencial en el desarrollo infantil, siendo clave en las relaciones sociales, la comunicación, las habilidades de cooperación, la empatía y la comprensión del entorno. Por lo tanto, la interacción y diseño hápticos deben jugar un papel fundamental en el desarrollo de productos. Esto es aún más importante para los niños con autismo, los cuales perciben los estímulos táctiles de manera diferente y sufren un desorden sensorial que afecta su rendimiento diario. Sus dificultades con la motricidad fina y gruesa, la coordinación e integración visuomotora, la propiocepción y la precisión en el agarre deben considerarse para diseñar productos seguros y cómodos. A pesar de ello, la mayoría de los estudios se centran en la modalidad visual, lo que resulta en una falta de trabajos centrados en el diseño táctil y su relación con el autismo. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo explorar cuáles son las cualidades táctiles óptimas de diseño para niños con autismo. Se desarrolla una extensión del método 'AuSENS', un método centrado en el usuario para desarrollar soluciones hápticas adaptadas al autismo. Así, se establecen los mejores parámetros y principios táctiles para crear una herramienta de diseño sensorial táctil, que ayude a los diseñadores en la toma de decisiones con respecto a las propiedades hápticas de los productos para estos niños. Finalmente, el método se valida con dos casos de estudio: (1) un juguete multifuncional y (2) un robot social.

In industries as diverse as automotive, aerospace, medical, energy, construction, electronics, and food, the engineering technology known as 3D printing or additive manufacturing facilitates the fabrication of rapid prototypes and the delivery of customized parts. This article explores recent advancements and emerging trends in 3D printing from a novel multidisciplinary perspective. It also provides a clear overview of the various 3D printing techniques used for producing parts and components in three dimensions. The application of these techniques in bioprinting and an up-to-date comprehensive review of their positive and negative aspects are covered, as well as the variety of materials used, with an emphasis on composites, hybrids, and smart materials. This article also provides an updated overview of 4D bioprinting technology, including biomaterial functions, bioprinting materials, and a targeted approach to various tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) applications. As a foundation for anticipated developments for TERM applications that could be useful for their successful usage in clinical settings, this article also examines present challenges and obstacles in 4D bioprinting technology. Finally, the article also outlines future regulations that will assist researchers in the manufacture of complex products and in the exploration of potential solutions to technological issues.

COVID-19 has posed new physical and mental challenges for the population worldwide, establishing social and structural changes in the labor market that could be maintained and implemented permanently. This new reality will require new strategies to improve family and work conciliation, which is especially challenging for families with children suffering from psychological pathologies such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These changes have led to more frequent and intense behavioral problems, causing stress, anxiety, and confusion for these children and their families. Thus, the need to have tools that help parents reconcile work with the care of these children, who have low autonomy, is reinforced. This work develops a method for the design of assistive technology and smart products to support children with ASD in following a routine and managing tasks autonomously. In this way, the article analyzes the design problem including the needs and preferences of children with ASD and their parents during confinement in terms of dependence and adaptability; develops a design method for interactive and smart products focused on children with ASD in confinement situations; and validates this method in a case study, in which a robot is developed that makes it easier for children with ASD to follow a routine.

El Covid19 ha planteado nuevos desafíos a nivel mundial, suponiendo cambios sociales y estructurales que podrían mantenerse e implantarse definitivamente. Esta nueva normalidad requerirá nuevas estrategias para la mejora de la conciliación familiar y laboral, lo cual supone un reto para familias con niños y niñas que sufren de Trastorno del Espectro Autista (TEA). Esto ha provocado estrés, ansiedad y confusión para estos niños y sus familias. Se acentúa la necesidad de contar con herramientas que faciliten a los padres la conciliación del trabajo con el cuidado de estos niños/ as, los cuales cuentan con una baja autonomía. Este trabajo desarrolla un método para el diseño de tecnología asistencial y productos inteligentes para dar soporte a niños con TEA en el seguimiento y gestión tareas de forma autónoma. Así, se analiza el problema de diseño, necesidades y preferencias de los niños con TEA y sus padres durante el confinamiento; desarrolla el marco de diseño para productos interactivos e inteligentes enfocados a niños con TEA en situaciones de confinamiento y valida este método en un caso de estudio, para el que se desarrolla un robot que facilita a los niños con TEA el seguimiento de una rutina.

Within the field of products for autism spectrum disorder, one of the main research areas is focused on the development of assistive technology. Mid and high-tech products integrate interactive and smart functions with multisensory reinforcements, making the user experience more intuitive, adaptable, and dynamic. These products have a very significant impact on improving the skills of children with autism, including collaboration and social skills, which are essential for the integration of these children into society and, therefore, their well-being. This work carried out an exhaustive analysis of the scientific literature, as well as market research and trends, and patent analysis to explore the state-of-the-art of assistive technology and smart products for children with ASD, specifically those aimed at improving social and communication skills. The results show a reduced availability of products that act as facilitators of the special needs of children with ASD, which is even more evident for products aimed at improving collaboration skills. Products that allow the participation of several users simultaneously through multi-user interfaces are required. On top of this, the trend toward virtual environments is leading to a loss of material aspects in the design that are essential for the development of these children.

The role that design engineering plays in the quality of life and well-being of people with autism spectrum disorder around the world is extremely relevant; products are highly helpful when used as “intermediaries” in social interactions, as well as in the reinforcement of cognitive, motor and sensory skills. One of the most significant challenges engineers have to face lies in the complexity of defining those functional requirements of objects that will efficiently satisfy the specific needs of children with autism within a single product. Furthermore, despite the growing trends that point toward the integration of new technologies in the creation of toys for typically developing children, the variety of specialized smart products aimed at children with autism spectrum disorder is very limited. Based on this evidence the KEYme project was created, where a multifunctional smart toy is developed as a reinforcement system for multiple needs which is adaptable to different kinds of autism for therapies, educational centers or family environments. This approach involves the knowledge transfer from the latest neuroscience, medicine and psychology contributions to the engineering and industrial design field.