A plush, robotic duck may soon become a fixture in the world of children who have cancer - a social robot that can be silly, happy, angry, scared or sick just like them, and help them cope creatively with their illness through the power of play. The duck, developed by robotics expert Aaron Horowitz and his company, is undergoing testing and is expected to be widely distributed by the end of this year. Horowitz said he was diagnosed as a child with human growth development deficiency and had to give himself daily injections for five years. The'social robot' can be silly, happy, angry, scared or sick, and help them cope creatively with their illness through the power of play. Revealed at CES in Las Vegas, it could be on sale later this year.

The robot duck is modeled after the mascot for the insurance company Aflac, which paid for its development and is branding the duck with its name. Aflac spokesman Jon Sullivan said the ducks -- plush on the outside with sophisticated robotics hidden beneath a washable cover -- will be given free to children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. The duck is expected to be featured Monday at the CES gadget show in Las Vegas. Sullivan said the company intends to continue covering costs of the duck for kids, with no plans for hospitals or insurers to pay for them -- unlike Jerry the Bear, which can be purchased directly online.