Mediators versus Isolators - the effect of robots on children with Autism and other user-groups

Studies into the behaviour of children with autism suggest that they show a preference for interacting with objects rather than with other people. People's social behaviour can be very subtle and could seem, to those with communication problems and a deficit in mind reading skills, widely unpredictable. This can present itself as a very confusing and possibly stressful experience to children with autism. Different from human beings, interactions with robots can provide a simplified, safe, predictable and reliable environment for these children and, not only that they might demonstrate a preference for interacting with the robots, but also they might start to develop 'attachment' or 'bonding' with the robot and direct basic social behaviours towards it.