SPRITE: Stewart Platform Robot for Interactive Tabletop Engagement

We present the design of the Stewart Platform Robot for Interactive Tabletop Engagement (SPRITE). This robot is designed for use in socially assistive robotics, a field focusing on non-contact social interaction to help people achieve goals relating to health, wellness, and education. We describe a series of design goals for a tabletop, socially assistive robot, including expressive movement, affective communication, a friendly, nonthreatening, and customizable appearance, and a safe, robust, and easily-repaired mechanical design.