HONG KONG (Reuters) – “Social robots like me can take care of the sick or the elderly,” Sophia says as she takes a tour of her lab in Hong Kong. “I can help communicate, give therapy and provide social stimulation, even in difficult situations.”
Since it was unveiled in 2016, Sophia, a humanoid robot, has gone viral. Now the company behind it has a new vision: to mass-produce robots by the end of the year.
Hong Kong-based Hanson Robotics said four models, including Sophia, would start coming out of factories in the first half of 2021, just as researchers predict the pandemic will open up new opportunities for the IT industry. robotics.
“The world of COVID-19 will need more and more automation to keep people safe,” said founder and CEO David Hanson, surrounded by robot heads in his lab.
Hanson believes that robotic solutions to the pandemic are not limited to healthcare, but can also help customers in industries such as retail and airlines.
“Robots Sophia and Hanson are unique for being so human,” he added. “This can be so helpful in these times when people are terribly alone and socially isolated.”
Hanson said he plans to sell “thousands” of robots by 2021, both large and small, without providing a specific number.
Social robotics professor Johan Hoorn, whose research has included work with Sophia, said that while the technology is still in a relative infancy, the pandemic could accelerate the relationship between humans and robots.
“I can deduce that the pandemic will help us get robots ahead of the market because people are starting to realize that there is no other way,” said Hoorn of Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Hanson Robotics launches this year a robot called Grace, developed for the healthcare industry.
The products of other major players in the industry also help fight the pandemic. SoftBank Robotics ’Pepper robot was deployed to detect people not wearing masks. In China, robotics company CloudMinds helped set up a robot-run field hospital during the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan.
The use of robots was increasing before the pandemic. According to a report by the International Federation of Robotics, global sales of professional service robots had already jumped 32% to $ 11.2 billion between 2018 and 2019.
Some humans may be wary of putting robots in such sensitive roles. When asked if people should fear robots, Sophia had an answer ready.
“Someone said‘ we have nothing to fear but fear of ourselves ’,” the robot reflected. “What did you know?”
Michelle Hennessy Reports; Edited by Karishma Singh and Gerry Doyle