CradleCoach
Publication
Takumi Yamamoto, Hiyori Tsuji, Sora Yamaji, Maiko Kobayashi, Kyoshiro Sasaki, Noriko Aso, and Yuta Sugiura. 2025. CradleCoach: A Smartphone and Stuffed Animal-Based System for Teaching Neonate Holding Based on Midwife-Inspired Motions. SICE Journal of Control, Measurement, and System Integration. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/18824889.2025.2501830 (Yamamoto & Tsuji, co-first authors)
SICE Journal of Control, Measurement, and System Integration
Abstract
Inappropriate holding postures and motions can negatively affect the formation of attachment, which is the bonding between caregivers and children, and can cause head injuries. Therefore, first-time caregivers need to learn appropriate neonate holding. In this study, we propose a smartphone and stuffed animal-based system for teaching neonates holding. The system trains the appropriate inclination angle, adduction angle, and acceleration value based on the holding motions observed in 15 midwives. The user attaches a smartphone to a stuffed animal and practices the motions with it. Then the system evaluates its movements and gives real-time feedback. We conducted a user study (N = 42) to evaluate the effectiveness of this system. We found that the system was effective in learning the inclination angle.