Technologies
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Interactive Physical Learning Activities for the Young (iPLAY)
Technology Overview
Children’s cognitive development are often tied to the timing of their motor milestones. Early detection of motor developmental delay is therefore as essential as monitoring cognitive milestones. However, the current conventional motor skill assessments can be time consuming and manpower intensive.
The iPLAY, also known as interactive Physical Learning Activities for the Young, is the approach of having an exergaming platform with interactive games, to assist educators, therapists and parents in assessing motor skills, tracking motor milestones and providing motor intervention. The iPLAY consists of three modes – 1) TEST, 2) GAME and 3) ADMINISTRATOR. The TEST mode is backed by the algorithm of the Motor Assessment Test for Children (MATCH) which is empirically calculated from normative sample database of children from age 2.5 to 6.0 years old.
We are open to explore alternative ways of using existing algorithm in AI platforms and web-based applications and are seeking for collaborations with partners for technology development. We are also seeking commercialisation collaborations from partners who are in the EdTech and HealthTech industry, whose business targeted sectors are in early childhood and special needs.
Technology Features, Specifications and Advantages
The iPLAY is a turnkey solution that can be implemented on its own or to complement existing physical and motor development programmes in the early childhood and special needs settings. It is backed up with purposefully planned MATCH task protocols and empirical-based algorithm which may be used in conventional assessments but have not been digitalised to a contemporary method. Contemporary method refers to the use of technologies such as depth motion sensors, light projections and pedometers sensors to track and monitor gross motor skills of children.
The novelty of iPLAY invention is based on :
- possibility of built-up capability of existing algorithm to be updated periodically with increasing database size
- automated data tracking and interpretation to evaluate gross motor skills of children and detect potential movement difficulties in children with motor delays and children who are at-risk of motor delays using TEST mode
- customisable exergaming intervention programme to improve children’s gross motor deficiencies using GAME mode
Potential Applications
The iPLAY can be used in childcare centres, preschools, kindergartens, early intervention centres, paediatric healthcare departments, rehabilitation centres for motor developmental delays and therapeutic centres for children with special needs.
To date as at 2020, there are more than 1,500 early childhood-related centres and schools operating in Singapore, serving close to 220,000 young children. The market size is anticipated to increase by 5 to 10% annually. The iPLAY and its related spin-off products would have highly purposeful and commercialised value in this industry.
Customer Benefits
With automated data interpretation functionality of iPLAY, digitalised information collected through iPLAY could translate raw scores into standard scores of children’s gross motor performance based on their norm age groups. It is further anticipated that iPLAY would aid in the assessment and development of gross motor skills of children and enhance the productivity of early intervention with automated data tracking and interpretation using exergaming technology.
The iPLAY could collect digitalised information from the gross motor scores of children, which can be interpreted to:
- assess gross motor skills and track gross motor milestones of each child with downloadable individual reports
- translate gross motor performance of each child to qualitative descriptions and quantitative percentiles based on norm age groups
- monitor gross motor proficiencies of each child with pre-programmed exergaming interventions
- track longitudinal or cross-sectional data for statistical analysis
Some highlighted benefits of iPLAY include :
- One-stop system for assessment and improvement
- Downloadable individual report and group data
- Paperless or printable reporting options
- Reduce manpower cost of manual testing and improve productivity
- Facilitate administrative complexity with automated data conversion capability
- Easy to use and fun to play