HONG KONG (Reuters) – “Social robots like me can take care of the sick or the elderly,” says Sophia, while taking a tour of her laboratory in Hong Kong. “I can help with communication, give therapy and provide social encouragement, even in difficult situations.”
Since it was revealed in 2016, Sophia – a humanoid robot – has gone viral. Now, the company behind it has a new vision: mass-produce robots by the end of the year.
Hanson Robotics, based in Hong Kong, said that four models, including Sophia, will begin leaving the factories in the first half of 2021, when researchers predict that the pandemic will open up new opportunities for the robotics industry.
“The world of COVID-19 is going to need more and more automation to keep people safe,” said founder and chief executive David Hanson, surrounded by robot heads in his laboratory.
Hanson believes that robotic solutions to the pandemic are not limited to health, but can also help customers in sectors such as retail and airlines.
“The Sophia and Hanson robots are unique in that they are so similar to humans,” he added. “This can be very useful in these times when people are terribly lonely and socially isolated.”
Hanson said he plans to sell “thousands” of robots in 2021, large and small, without providing a specific number.
Social robotics professor Johan Hoorn, whose research included work with Sophia, said that while the technology is still in its relative infancy, the pandemic can accelerate the relationship between humans and robots.
“I can infer that the pandemic will really help us put robots on the market sooner because people are beginning to realize that there is no other way,” said Hoorn of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Hanson Robotics is launching a robot called Grace this year, developed for the healthcare industry.
Products from other major players in the industry are also helping to fight the pandemic. The Pepper robot from SoftBank Robotics was deployed to detect people who were not wearing masks. In China, the robotics company CloudMinds helped set up a field hospital run by robots during the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan.
The use of robots was increasing before the pandemic. According to a report by the International Robotics Federation, worldwide sales of professional service robots had already jumped 32% to $ 11.2 billion between 2018 and 2019.
Some humans may be afraid to put robots in such sensitive roles. When asked whether people should fear robots, Sophia had a ready answer.
“Someone said, ‘We have nothing to fear but fear itself,'” reflected the robot. “What did he know?”
Reporting by Michelle Hennessy; Editing by Karishma Singh and Gerry Doyle