A Low-Cost Social Robot for Gesture-Based Educational Activities and Human-Robot Interaction in Learning Environments

• Ana Caroline De O. Bastos CEFET-RJ
• Milena F. Pinto CEFET-RJ
• Rafaelli C. Coutinho CEFET-RJ
• Fabricio L. Silva CEFET-RJ
• Amaro A. De Lima CEFET-RJ
• Gabriel M. Araujo CEFET-RJ

Resumo

This work presents the design and implementation of a low-cost social robot intended for use in educational environments. The robot is constructed using affordable materials such as cardboard and PVC, and uses Arduino-compatible components for actuation and control. It is capable of recognizing and mimicking basic human gestures, such as waving, nodding, and head-shaking, through computer vision techniques using MediaPipe and OpenCV. The system architecture combines gesture recognition, real-time communication, and servomotor actuation to simulate socially meaningful interactions. Beyond its technical capabilities, the robot aims to enhance classroom en-gagement, support socio-emotional learning, and promote hands-on experiences in robotics and programming. The platform is designed for replicability and accessibility, making it particularly suited for public schools and STEM education initiatives.

Palavras-chave: Computer vision, Conferences, Social robots, Education, Systems architecture, Gesture recognition, Real-time systems, Servomotors, Replicability, Programming profession, Social Robot, Project-Based Learning, Gesture Recognition, STEM