Understanding another mindTo address this, Manchester researchers are now exploring what happens when machines begin to develop a basic version of ‘Theory of Mind’. Each robot had its own needs and goals, but those needs were invisible to its partner. To do this, the robots used their own experiences as a starting point for understanding each other. The researchers found that cooperation emerged most successfully when at least one robot was willing to prioritise the needs of another. In human terms, it is the difference between understanding that somebody needs help and choosing to offer it.