Morrama launches AI-Based tools to aid childhood mental health and creativity

Morrama, an industrial design and innovation consultancy, has introduced a series of AI-based tool concepts aimed at supporting the mental health of children aged six and above. 

Developed in collaboration with a child psychiatrist, these tools utilise AI and machine learning to help children manage emotions, explore creativity, build connections, and find an escape.

The initiative comes as NHS data indicates that one in five young people have a mental health disorder, and more than 250,000 children are waiting for mental health support. Morrama's tools aim to provide an alternative to traditional talking therapies by offering interactive methods to support children's mental health.

Jo Barnard, Founder at Morrama, stated:

 "Mental health support in children is an issue that’s too often sidelined and ignored - we believe technology and design can be harnessed to better support young people. This empowered our decision to create the Mindful AI tools and help assist children with emotional support in a creative and innovative way. 

“Obviously some will question putting more powerful technology into the hands of children, but the potential for support, creativity and communication that AI-enabled objects could bring to the children of tomorrow is boundless and exciting."

The AI Tools

Calm

Calm is a tool inspired by the traditional fidget spinner, designed to help children release anxiety. It includes sweat, motion, and heart rate sensors to capture data on the child's interactions, providing a snapshot of their wellbeing. This data can be used to tailor the experiences of the other tools in the collection.

Comfort

Comfort is a small projector with an integrated speaker that responds to the child's requests with images and sounds. It aims to create a comforting environment by displaying imaginative landscapes, educational settings, or other calming visuals.

Connect

Connect is an AI companion that facilitates interaction between children and their parents or primary caregivers. It encourages conversation and interaction with its touch-sensitive petals, helping to build trust and communication.

Create

Create offers a modern twist on the traditional colouring book. It generates line drawings, simple puzzles, and stimulating templates based on spoken prompts from the child, encouraging creativity and providing an engaging, interactive experience.

Morrama's AI tools are designed to be portable and rechargeable, making them easy to integrate into daily life. While these concepts are currently in the design phase, they highlight the potential for AI to play a significant role in supporting children's mental health and creativity in the home environment.