Humanoid robot Sophia to be mass produced by the end of 2021, capitalising on the pandemic-induced robot boom
Sophia, a humanoid robot, went viral from the moment it was introduced to the world in 2016. Now, the company behind its manufacture has announced that it aims to mass-produce it by the end of the year.
These types of androids can help care for the sick or elderly because they are able to communicate, provide therapy or provide social stimulation, even in complicated situations, according to Sophia herself during a tour of her laboratory in Hong Kong, reported Reuters.
Hanson Robotics, the company that manufactures this robot, said that 4 models, including Sophia, would start leaving factories in the first half of 2021, just when researchers predict that the pandemic will open new opportunities for the robotics industry.
"The world of COVID-19 will need more and more automation to keep people safe," explained David Hanson, founder and CEO.
The founder believes that robotic solutions to the pandemic are not limited to healthcare, but could also be applied in industries such as retail or airlines.
Hanson points out that these devices are unique because they resemble humans, which can be very useful for accompanying people who feel lonely or isolated.
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Sophia's 'father' advanced that his goal is to sell "thousands" of robots in 2021, both large and small. Among them, Hanson Robotics will launch one this year called Grace which has been developed specifically for the health sector.
Johan Hoorn, a professor of social robotics, explained that although the technology is still in a relatively early stage, the pandemic could accelerate the relationship between humans and androids.
Robot use was already on the rise before the pandemic. According to a report by the International Robotics Federation, worldwide sales of professional service-oriented robots had already increased by 32% between 2018 and 2019 to $11.2 billion.
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