The programme, Robot for Autism Behavioral Intervention (RABI), is designed for people with autism between the ages of 3 and 18 and aims to help them be more social and to resolve issues such as conflicts and bullying.

Catherine So, associate professor of educational psychology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, told Reuters more than 1,200 children have used the programme since its 2015 launch.

The robots engage the children with role-playing and verbal interaction. A typical class involves two small robots acting out social scenarios on a tabletop, helping the children see the difference between appropriate and unacceptable behaviour such as tantrums or screaming.

More than 20 non-profit groups financed by governments and public schools in Hong Kong and Macau have adopted the programme. So hopes the project will help fight against exclusion.

According to Reuters