The donation has been made during a Technical Conference organized by SIVI, on this occasion the different models of the Apapachoa project were presented in Valladolid
Today, the AIR Institute further advances research into the benefits of dolls in therapy. This afternoon, 20 dolls from the Apapachoa project were donated to the SIVI Cluster for a validation test, through the Intras Foundation and other entities involved in this regional academic and technological consortium focused on the development of solutions that promote mental health and active aging.
The donation took place during the Technical Conference on Social and Assistance Robotics for Independent Living, organized by SIVI in the PCUVa Building of the Science Park, University of Valladolid, where the AIR Institute also had the opportunity to participate in a round table discussion, in which it shared its experience in applied robotics, and presented the Apapachoa project to the attendees in a round of technological demonstrations.
In the afternoon, at the end of the meeting, the dolls were handed over at the AIR Institute’s Valladolid headquarters. For more information on the characteristics of each model that has been donated, please refer to the appendix attached to this document.
APAPACHOA
The Apapachoa project is fruit of the collaboration between professionals from the AIR Institute, FIW Consulting and the University of Salamanca. The initiative is being developed in the town of Béjar which has a long-standing textile industry. Its objective is to improve the quality of life of people through emotional interaction stimuli. To this end, a series of handmade dolls have been manufactured to serve as support tools in therapy. This has resulted in a final design that is very pleasant to the touch and sight thanks to the shapes, colors and high-quality materials used in to create the dolls. Moreover, this project is supporting the development of the local economy through job creation and synergies with other companies in the sector.
Apapachoa not only seeks to help family members or loved ones suffering from different disorders, but also promotes industry in Salamanca. In addition, the dolls incorporate electronics in their interior. This provides a high added value to the product, as it favors interaction and its use in different therapies. One of the main objectives of the project is to unite two therapeutic techniques whose benefits have been demonstrated: therapy with robots and therapy with dolls.
After several studies, the benefits of these dolls for people that suffer from disorders such as autism, stress, anxiety, Alzheimer’s and dementia, have been evidenced. Moreover, they can improve the daily life of people who do not suffer from any disorder or illness.
The Apapachoa project is a charitable project, and its revenues are used for research and innovation.
SIVI
The Association – Cluster – Innovative Solutions for Independent Living (SIVI), based in Castilla y León, brings together a large number of public and private organizations (social and welfare service providers, technology companies, university research groups, technology centers and third sector) with experience in the design, development and application of innovative technological solutions in the fields of active and healthy aging, mental health and independent living.
The multisectoral nature of the Association allows it to cover all the stages of an innovation project: conception, design, development, testing in application groups, exploitation of results and commercialization.
Juan M. Corchado 