Socially Assisted Robotics (SAR) may be alternative "playmates" for children with autism. Engineers at the University of Southern California are using SAR that blow bubbles, "toot" horns, and make facial expressions to interact with children. Some children with autism prefer interaction with mechanical things. Maja Mataric, a professor at the USC Interaction Laboratory, said, "I believe that Socially Assistive Robotics has a part to play in helping families, both the affected children and their parents and siblings."