LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 13, 2011: Maja Mataric, professor of pediatrics, computer science and neu

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 13, 2011: Maja Mataric, professor of pediatrics, computer science and neuroscience and co-director of the Robotics Research Lab at USC with "Bandit," one of the robots engineers are developing to act as companions for elderly people in nursing homes. as well as working with autistic children on OCTOBER 13, 2011. ÒWeÕre trying to create something thatÕs endearing,Ó she says. The result: Bandit, a metallic-colored, child-sized robot that can win the attention and even empathy of hard-to-reach kids. (Photo by Bob Chamberlin/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)