Speaker
Speaker Info
- Name
- Olivier Blanson Henkemans
- Organization
- TNO
- Country
- The Netherlands
- Biography
- Dr. Olivier Blanson Henkemans is a senior researcher at TNO, specializing in human-computer interaction with a focus on youth health. His work revolves around developing and implementing user-friendly digital innovations to promote well-being, particularly in preventive child healthcare. By collaborating closely with end users—children, parents, and professionals—he ensures that solutions are co-created, optimized, and effectively integrated into practice. Olivier earned his PhD in Human-Machine Interaction from TU Delft, where he explored how eHealth can be enhanced through personal computer assistants. At his current position at research institute TNO, he leads multidisciplinary research projects, acquiring national and international grants to drive innovation. His expertise spans user experience research, project management, and consultancy, with a strong network across academia, industry, and (public) healthcare organizations. Beyond his research, Olivier actively contributes to discussions on digital transformation in healthcare, emphasising the importance of human-AI collaboration for a healthier future. His passion lies in translating complex technological advancements into practical, scalable solutions that empower professionals and improve the lives of young people.
- Photo
Presentation Info
- Title
- ePartners4All: A Co-Creation Initiative for Enhancing Child Wellbeing through Edutainment and Interactive Robot Support
- Summary
- Children today face increasing challenges related to wellbeing and social-emotional development in school, which, if unaddressed, can negatively impact their learning and overall quality of life. Traditional support methods often lack engagement and personalization, making it difficult to address children's unique needs effectively. ePartners4All provides an innovative solution by combining personal and digital support through an interactive robot buddy, leveraging research showing that social robots can create a safe, non-judgmental learning environment. The goal of ePartners4All is to enhance children’s social and emotional wellbeing in primary school settings through personalized, goal-driven support using interactive, edutainment-focused robot interventions. A comprehensive needs assessment was conducted in Switzerland and the Netherlands, involving questionnaires, interviews, and creative sessions with children, parents, and teachers from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Co-creation activities with children ensured that the robot buddy was engaging and fun, allowing children to work toward goals related to self-confidence, self-image, and social skills. The evaluation revealed that children responded positively to co-creation, especially storytelling, and preferred personalized interactions. Challenges included delayed robot responses, difficulty with voice recognition, and information overload, which led to distraction. Recommendations for improvement included enhancing responsiveness, simplifying communication, and adding a second display for content on self-image and social skills. Motivational elements like dances and games were also suggested to increase engagement. By integrating edutainment and personalized interactions, ePartners4All offers a holistic, child-centered approach to emotional resilience, fostering a safe environment where children can develop key social-emotional skills for the future.
- Keynote