BBC NEWS has recently reported on research at Hertfordshire University using robots to help children with autism to understand emotional responses. In one example, an autistic boy poked his fingers into the eye sockets of robot 'Kaspar' and then moved them to the empty mouth.

The robot feigned hurt, covering his face, and the boy copied the gesture.

"If the boy had tried to do that to his own brother, sister or parent then there would have been an instant reaction," computer science senior researcher at the University of Hertfordshire Dr Ben Robins told the BBC.

"Children with autism have to live with constant negative feedback," project leader Prof Kerstin Dautenhahn said. "That means they are constantly told off or criticised for what they do."

Several robots are being used by the university in schools to explore ways of teaching profoundly autistic children social and communication skills.

Although researchers have anecdotal evidence that interaction with the robot does create improvements, there is still doubt that the robot's influence is direct and lasting. The children's repeated responses could be as a result of family interaction.

Dr Kathleen Richardson, of Cambridge University, wants to see more independent assessment of the research.

"I think more research is needed and this will come when the university reaches its fundraising target and can carry out the in-depth study."

Dr Robins said most of the work had been done in classrooms. Researchers now need to study what happens in the children's own homes, how they react with siblings and parents.

But there have also been some dramatic successes. In one case a child with violent tendencies became placid with Kaspar and spent a long time gently stroking the robot.

Describing the robot, Dr Dautenhahn said: "We decided to give it a minimal expression, a simplified face and the ability to make expressions that could be easily understood.

"The neck was not covered and there were obvious clues that the robot was not humanoid so that it would not be confused as another person. Kaspar is a research tool with programmed responses adapted to be used by an autistic child in a safe, non-judgemental environment."