Smart pen to analyse pupils' handwriting
In collaboration with the German government, Stabilo wants to develop a pen that will help children with handwriting deficits to write. An app and machine learning will be used to support the pupils.
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Kinemic GmbH and the stationery manufacturer Stabilo are working together on a pen that analyses the handwriting of schoolchildren. The special writing utensil is designed to adapt handwriting exercises to the needs and deficits of the respective person and thus improve their handwriting. The three parties involved invested a total of 1.77 million euros in the project.
A pen and an app for the tablet
The whole thing is supposed to work with an intelligent pen and a linked app on a tablet. The software and hardware communicate with each other continuously and analyse the schoolchildren's writing in real time. The companies involved plan to be able to present the first results and go live in June 2022.
Further details are not yet known. There is talk of a rough concept in which a machine learning system will analyse children's handwriting. The app then adapts written exercises to the deficits of the respective pupil and can thus help them to improve their handwriting. For example, a dictation displayed on the tablet can be adapted if the child shows weaknesses in certain areas.
In reality, the software could adapt the text presented to the pupil and make certain letters appear more frequently if the child is struggling with certain letters or whole words. The pen is designed to provide information on any motor deficits when writing. The tablet reacts in real time and, for example, adapts a dictation to the schoolchild and their deficits.
Data protection has top priority
The data protection issue is under control. Teachers are not allowed to pass on personal data generated by writing with a pen to anyone. However, it could be helpful if the data were collected and made available to all teachers as a basis for teaching. This would allow lessons to be adapted accordingly and tailored even better to the children's needs.
When I'm not stuffing my face with sweets, you'll catch me running around in the gym hall. I’m a passionate floorball player and coach. On rainy days, I tinker with my homebuilt PCs, robots or other gadgets. Music is always my trusted companion. I also enjoy tackling hilly terrain on my road bike and criss-crossing the country on my cross-country skis.