To love or to abuse a robot?

BBC technology journalists treat a robot dinosaur with affection then abuse to see how it reacts.

The Pleo learns behaviour during the first few hours that it is activated.

If it receives positive treatment it acts in a more outgoing manner than if it is treated badly or ignored.

The robot's manufacturers say its lifelong personality develops early in the lifespan.

It is an example of gadgets within the home that have been designed to respond to human emotions.