UNCW formed a new autism research committee to explore how the ‘Humanoids’ may be used to help autistic children socialize and learn basic skills.

According to UNCW, the committee is composed of researchers from the education, computer science, and economics department, and TEACCH Autism Program at UNC Chapel Hill, in collaboration with the UNCW Watson School of Education’s Assistive Technology Demonstration and Lending Site.

The university used federal grant funds to purchase the six robots from Aldebaran Robotics.