Companion Robots: An Example Of The Accelerating Power Of COVID-19

Hanson Robotics wants to help those craving company during the COVID-19 pandemic. For those not familiar with Sophia, it is a human-like robot from Hanson Robotics. For those not familiar, check out the video below. Sophia appears between the 2:10 and 5:30 marks of the 8-minute segment. In discussing the roll of companion robots, CEO David Hanson told Reuters that “Sophia and Hanson robots are unique by being so human-like, that can be so useful during these times where people are terribly lonely and socially isolated.” His company, Hanson Robotics, plans to roll out thousands of these robots in 2021. They aim to roll out four models — including Sophia — in the first half of 2021.

The company is taking advantage of the accelerating impact of the pandemic on automation and robotics. This recent Article describes both the fame achieved by the robot, and the controversy it has created. This specific dynamic represents a phenomenon likely to dominate discussions during this decade: how will society react to these advancements? When watching Sophia in the video, can you see the robot as a companion for the lonely? Given the mental health issues facing society, should we dismiss or embrace it? After the video below, I have included a poll – please participate.

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8 responses to “Companion Robots: An Example Of The Accelerating Power Of COVID-19”

  1. […] that is a considerable benefit. My recent post on robot companions and loneliness (Please take the Poll) touched upon the role of emerging technology in addressing mental health issues. Technology has […]

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  2. […] Companion Robots: An Example Of The Accelerating Power Of COVID-19 […]

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  3. […] represents the potential for a positive human outcome. One example is the introduction of Companion Robots that help deal with the challenges of loneliness and isolation. Another is the role of robots in […]

    Liked by 1 person

  4. […] In 2014, predictions regarding advanced automation were rooted in the belief that the divide between humans and machines was narrowing, driving the idea that ultimately, machines will replace, augment, or work alongside humans. Nothing has happened to change that perspective and the pandemic may have accelerated attainment. While knowledge work and creativity has long been the domain of humans, much has happened in seven years to call that in to question. Examples of machines encroaching on our more human characteristics were described in an example of a Virtual Composer, a Robot Artist, and a Social Companion. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  5. […] Sophia the humanoid robot does rehab with the elderly, you are addressing an acute problem through technology. You move […]

    Liked by 1 person

  6. […] over Sophia you might have company. At Tesla’s AI Day, Elon Musk said the company plans to build a robot in […]

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  7. […] know Tesla is pursuing humanoid robots, and companion robots got an accelerating boost from Covid-19. In discussing the roll of companion robots, Hanson […]

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  8. […] they are increasingly capable of empathy, learning, and adapting to dynamic environments. Consider Sophia, the humanoid robot developed by Hanson Robotics, which interacts with humans using natural […]

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