Sophia, created by Hanson Robotics, made her first public appearance at the South by Southwest Festival in 2016, a mere two months after being activated. With over 50 humanistic facial expressions, Sophia epitomises the "uncanny valley". From the moment she was created, the world has been buzzing with questions for both Sophia and her creator, David Hanson, making her the perfect addition to a wide range of events. From technology conferences to university graduations, it is no surprise that all audiences are enthralled by Sophia, hanging onto her every word.
Sophia was modelled after the famous actress, Audrey Hepburn. When compared to other robots, it is clear that Sophia's creators have taken the next step in technological advancements, with her humanistic movement, expressions and ability to process emotions. As Sophia communicates through predetermined topics, you can rest assured that her creators will tailor their presentation to your theme. Sophia and her siblings have turned science fiction, into science non-fiction.
When she was built, her creators intended Sophia to be a companion to the elderly or to help large groups of people at events. However, she has quickly become a spokesperson for robot-kind instead. Touring the world, she has appeared in numerous interviews, eliciting a mix of confusion and wonder in the presenters. Recently, Sophia has been given working legs, making her able to not just maintain eye contact and recognise people, but keep up with their pace as well. Thanks to blockchain technology, Sophia can learn from her interactions with people, increasing the accuracy of her conversation.
Sophia is the first-ever Innovation Champion for Asia and the Pacific for the United Nations, a role that has led her to feature at global events. From the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show to mainstream television shows like Good Morning Britain, there are few people who wouldn't recognise Sophia. She was even given Saudi Arabian citizenship in 2017, making Sophia the first robot to have a nationality. There is no better way to learn about Sophia than to see her in action. As a motivational speaker, Sophia is not just an interesting presenter, but a look into the future of society.
