Meet Paro the cuddly carehome assistant

A cuddly robotic seal, designed in Japan and known as Paro, is being used in the care of the elderly.

With a form of artificial intelligence it can respond to being stroked or hugged as well as a voice.

The result is physical and emotional interaction with anyone holding the seal.

The BBC's Health Editor Hugh Pym got to meet Paro to see how he works.

Intelligent Machines - a BBC News series looking at AI and robotics