Project description
Music-based technology for autistic individuals
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects communication, yet some individuals with ASD excel in music. Joint musical activities can improve social behaviour, but current music interventions lack control, flexibility, and accessibility. The eMusic Box (eMB) enables non-musicians to create music together, adapting to each other’s performance. The ERC-funded AUTISMUS project aims to develop technology that allows individuals with ASD to access engaging musical activities from home. The eMB technology is versatile and offers superior accessibility, flexibility, and interactivity compared to existing technologies. The project will test the effectiveness of the eMB in helping individuals with ASD improve their social functioning, bring the technology to market, and patent and license it for distribution to B2B and B2C customers.
Objective
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition marked by communication difficulties, but some individuals with ASD excel in understanding and responding to music. Joint musical activities have shown promise in improving social behavior among people with ASD. However, existing music-based interventions have limitations: they lack precise control, flexibility, and accessibility, often requiring training or therapist presence. To address these issues, the AUTISMUS project aims to create technology that allows ASD individuals to easily access engaging and interactive musical activities, even from home. This project leverages a pillar of my ERC StG – the eMusic Box (eMB) – a device developed to enable non-musicians to make music together, mutually adapting to each other’s performance. We will assess if individuals with ASD can use the eMB effectively and whether it enhances their social functioning. If successful, we plan to bring this technology to market, considering insights from end-users. The eMB's impact spans various stakeholders, including individuals with ASD, caregivers, educational institutions, healthcare professionals, therapy centers, research organizations, and autism support groups. Its versatility suits ASD individuals of different ages and abilities. Compared to existing technologies, the eMB offers superior accessibility, flexibility, and interactivity. Our exploitation route involves patenting the technology and licensing it to a market leader for broad distribution to both B2B and B2C customers, fostering innovation and enhancing global products and services.
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept GrantsHost institution
16163 Genova
Italy