• Menu
  • Menu
  • Business
  • Subscribe
  • Logout
Trending
UAE holidays 2021 Coronavirus Special Reports Find Jobs in the UAE Travel
  • Latest News
  • UAE
    • Crime
    • Education
      • Young Editors
    • Environment
    • Government
    • Health
      • Better Health
      • Why Worry
    • Transport
    • Science
    • Weather
    • Reader Complaint
    • Ask the Law
    • UAE's Hope Probe
  • Living In UAE
    • Visa+Immigration
    • Housing
    • Phone+Internet
    • Banking
    • Transport
    • Health
    • Education
    • Relocate
    • Ask Us
    • Safety+Security
  • Gulf
  • Your Money
    • Saving and Investment
    • Budget Living
    • Taxation
    • Expert Columns
    • Community Tips
  • Business
    • Banking
    • Aviation
    • Property
    • Energy
    • Analysis
    • Tourism
    • Markets
    • Retail
    • Company Releases
  • World
    • Gulf
      • Bahrain
      • Kuwait
      • Oman
      • Qatar
      • Saudi
      • Yemen
    • Mena
    • Europe
      • Brexit
    • Africa
    • Americas
      • US Presidential Elections 2020
    • Asia
      • India
      • Pakistan
      • Philippines
    • Oceania
    • Offbeat
    • Court and Crime
    • Coronavirus
    • Infographics
  • Opinion
    • Editorials
    • Op-Eds
    • Letters
    • Off the Cuff
    • Cartoons
    • From the Editors
  • Sport
    • UAE Sport
    • Horse Racing
      • Dubai World Cup
    • Cricket
      • IPL
        • Chennai
        • Delhi
        • Punjab
        • Kolkata
        • Mumbai
        • Rajasthan
        • Bangalore
        • Hyderabad
      • ICC
    • Football
    • Motorsport
    • Tennis
      • Dubai Duty Free Tennis 2020
    • Golf
    • Rugby
  • Entertainment
    • Hollywood
    • Bollywood
    • Pakistani Cinema
    • Pinoy Celebs
    • South Indian
    • Arab Celebs
    • Music
    • TV
    • Books
    • Theatre
    • Arts+Culture
  • Going Out
    • Movie Reviews
    • Society
  • Photos
    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Readers' Photos
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Sports
  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy & Baby
    • Learning & Play
    • Child Health
    • For Mums & Dads
    • Ask Us
  • Auto
    • News
    • Test Drives
    • Car Culture
    • Auto Care
  • Lifestyle
    • Health+Fitness
      • Beating Breast Cancer
    • Family
    • Community
      • India
      • Pakistan
      • #Pinoy
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Weekend Review
  • GN Reach
  • Jobs
  • Tech
    • Electronics
      • Gitex Shopper
    • Gaming
    • Trends
    • Fin-Tech
    • Media
  • How To
    • Employment
      • Jobs
    • Passports & Visas
    • Your Money
    • Legal
  • Videos
    • How-To
    • Best Of Bollywood
    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Business
    • Sport
    • #Pinoy
    • Community
    • Travel
    • Technology
  • GN Focus
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Hotels
  • Gold-Forex
  • Notifications
  • Gold/Forex
  • Prayer Times
  • Cinema Listing
  • About Gulf News
  • Contact us
  • Work with us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Gulf News store
  • Advertise with us
  • Reach by GN
  • GN Focus
  • Gulf News epaper
  • Sitemap
  • Have your say
  • © Al Nisr Publishing LLC 2021. All rights reserved.
    Makers of Sophia the robot plan mass rollout amid pandemic

    Photos

    Login / Sign Up
    Logout
    Thursday, March 4, 2021
    Gold / Forex

    Photos Business

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Readers' Photos
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Sports
    All Sections

    Makers of Sophia the robot plan mass rollout amid pandemic

    Since being unveiled in 2016, Sophia - a humanoid robot - has gone viral


    Published:  January 25, 2021 11:51 Reuters  and  compiled by Balaram Menon, Senior Web Editor

    1 of 9
    Copy of 2021-01-25T010405Z_600045219_RC2PEL9RWSEW_RTRMADP_3_HONGKONG-ROBOT-1611560810268
    "Social robots like me can take care of the sick or elderly," Sophia (above) 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. Image Credit: REUTERS
    2 of 9
    Copy of 2021-01-25T010254Z_1490422207_RC2PEL9NX8WQ_RTRMADP_3_HONGKONG-ROBOT-1611560801621
    Hanson Robotics, based in Hong Kong, 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. Image Credit: REUTERS
    3 of 9
    Copy of 2021-01-25T010115Z_523928892_RC2PEL90GSMI_RTRMADP_3_HONGKONG-ROBOT-1611560786873
    "The world of COVID-19 is going to need more and more automation to keep people safe," founder and chief executive David Hanson (pictured) said, standing surrounded by robot heads in his lab. Image Credit: REUTERS
    4 of 9
    Copy of 2021-01-25T010203Z_462831384_RC2PEL9O65RU_RTRMADP_3_HONGKONG-ROBOT-1611560796485
    Humanoid robot Sophia introduces herself at the company's lab in Hong Kong. Hanson believes robotic solutions to the pandemic are not limited to healthcare, but could assist customers in industries such as retail and airlines too. Image Credit: REUTERS
    5 of 9
    Copy of 2021-01-25T010344Z_682696129_RC2PEL9NCXU6_RTRMADP_3_HONGKONG-ROBOT-1611560806662
    "Sophia and Hanson robots are unique by being so human-like," he added. "That can be so useful during these times where people are terribly lonely and socially isolated." Hanson said he aims to sell "thousands" of robots in 2021, both large and small, without providing a specific number. | Above: An engineer adjusts the cover at the back of humanoid Sophia's head. Image Credit: REUTERS
    6 of 9
    Copy of 2021-01-25T010418Z_1368633428_RC2PEL9XAOH1_RTRMADP_3_HONGKONG-ROBOT-1611560814214
    Social robotics professor Johan Hoorn, whose research has included work with Sophia, said that although the technology is still in relative infancy, the pandemic could accelerate a relationship between humans and robots. Image Credit: REUTERS
    7 of 9
    Copy of 2021-01-25T010202Z_1766906055_RC2PEL9HWY1B_RTRMADP_3_HONGKONG-ROBOT-1611560791741
    "I can infer the pandemic will actually help us get robots earlier in the market because people start to realise that there is no other way," said Hoorn, of Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Image Credit: REUTERS
    8 of 9
    Copy of 2021-01-25T010037Z_1322489761_RC2PEL94LTCG_RTRMADP_3_HONGKONG-ROBOT-1611560817241
    Humanoid robot Sophia makes a facial expression at the company's lab in Hong Kong. Hanson Robotics is launching a robot this year called Grace, developed for the healthcare sector. Image Credit: REUTERS
    9 of 9
    Copy of 2021-01-25T010101Z_668170043_RC2PEL9MTRHJ_RTRMADP_3_HONGKONG-ROBOT-1611560821777
    Some humans might be wary of putting robots in such sensitive roles. When asked whether people should fear robots, Sophia had an answer ready. "Someone said 'we have nothing to fear but fear itself'," the robot mused. "What did he know?" Image Credit: REUTERS

    Trending

    • Burj Khalifa listed in top 7 Insta-world wonders

      Burj Khalifa listed in top 7 Insta-world wonders


    • See: UAE's first-hotel BOAC Rest House 90 years on

      See: UAE's first-hotel BOAC Rest House 90 years on


    • Photos: A look inside a private zoo in Sharjah

      Photos: A look inside a private zoo in Sharjah

    Latest In

    • Imran Khan: Senate polls demonstrate graft in politics

      13 minutes ago

    • French court acquits ex-PM Balladur in corruption trial

      47 minutes ago

    • French astronomers seek volunteers for meteorite hunt

      52 minutes ago

    • Students celebrate GCSE, A-level grades

      53 minutes ago

    • Al Ain Zoo celebrates World Wildlife Day

      56 minutes ago

    Go back to top
    Network links:
    • Baby & Child
    • Friday
    • Inside Out
    • Watch Time
    • Wheels
    • getthat
    • GN Tech
    • Jobs
    • About Gulf News
    • Contact us
    • Work with us
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Gulf News store
    • Advertise with us
    • Reach by GN
    • GN Focus
    • Gulf News epaper
    • Sitemap
    • Have your say
    Find us on Social
    © Al Nisr Publishing LLC 2021. All rights reserved.
    This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.
    Share on Facebook
    Share on Twitter
    Share on Whatsapp
    Share on Mail
    Share on LinkedIn
    Close
    Gulf News

    Get Breaking News Alerts From Gulf News

    We’ll send you latest news updates through the day. You can manage them any time by clicking on the notification icon.

    Subscribe No Thanks
    Continue reading Gulf News
    Dear Reader, please register to read gulfnews.com

    Dear Reader,

    This section is about Living in UAE and essential information you cannot live without.

    Register to read and get full access to gulfnews.com

    Create your account
    or login if you already have one
    First name is required.
    Last name is required.
    Please enter a valid email address.
    Password should have minimum 7 characters with at least one letter and number
    Passwords do not match

    By clicking below to sign up, you're agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

    Login your account
    New to Gulf News? Sign up now
    Please enter your email address.
    Please enter your password.

    Forgot password

    or