This Aflac robot duck helps kids living with cancer

One of the highlights of attending the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas are the robots. But one robot companion stands out as the most heartwarming.

Insurance company Aflac unveiled My Special Aflac Duck, a social robot companion resembling its mascot for children with cancer.

Users can manage the duck using a web-based app. The smart companion will mirror young patients' moods, go through the same therapies, and will dance, quack and nuzzle to help comfort kids.

Aflac worked with tech company Sproutel to create My Special Aflac Duck.

"On average, childhood cancer treatment lasts more than 1,000 days, and we thought there must be something we can do to help alleviate some of the burden," said Aaron J. Horowitz, CEO and co-founder of Sproutel, in a statement.

Aflac chairman and CEO Dan Amos said the insurance company's goal is to get the duck into the hands of kids newly diagnosed with cancer for free.

Aflac and Sproutel will deliver the companion to kids at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for testing in early 2018. My Special Aflac Duck is expected to launch nationwide next winter.

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.