Mass rollout of Sophia the robot planned amid pandemic

By Michelle Hennessy

Robotics
Monday, 25 Jan 2021
11:00 AM MYT

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Humanoid robot Sophia, developed by Hanson Robotics, is pictured at the company's lab in Hong Kong, China. — Reuters

HONG KONG: “Social robots like me can take care of the sick or elderly,” Sophia says as she conducts a tour of her lab in Hong Kong. “I can help communicate, give therapy and provide social stimulation, even in difficult situations.”

Since being unveiled in 2016, Sophia – a humanoid robot – has gone viral. Now the company behind her has a new vision: to mass-produce robots by the end of the year.

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Humanoid robot Sophia, developed by Hanson Robotics, is pictured at the company's lab in Hong Kong, China. — Reuters

Sophia introduces herself at the company's lab in Hong Kong, China. — Reuters

Sophia makes a facial expression at the company's lab in Hong Kong, China. — Reuters

An engineer adjusts the cover at the back of humanoid robot Sophia’s head at the company's lab in Hong Kong, China. — Reuters

Hanson Robotics said four models, including Sophia, would start rolling out of factories in the first half of 2021, just as researchers predict the pandemic will open new opportunities for the robotics industry. — Reuters

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Mass rollout of Sophia the robot planned amid pandemic