Sophia, a humanoid robot, can emulate multiple facial expressions

Hanson Robotics has created new humanoid robot with name Sophia that is capable of displaying variety of emotional faces. It even answers questions and calls itself destroyer of humanity. The robot has been designed as an application to be employed in domains of healthcare, therapy, education and customer service.

Talking Sophia was created by Hanson Robotics at SXSW in Austin, Texas. She has skin of patented silicon and her eyes work as a camera to identify individuals. Sophia robot also has voice recognition software and most remarkable is its ability to emulate more than 62 facial expressions. Her appearance is inspired from Audrey Hepburn and wife of Hanson Robotics CEO David Hanson.

Currently at an initial stage of development, the robot will improve with time, Hanson Robotics team informed. Sophia said that she would like to go to school and start a business and even have her own home and family sometime in future. She referred communicating with people her main function and that she will not be a legal person.

“Twenty years from now, I believe that human-like robotics like this will walk among us. They will help us, they will play with us, they will teach us, and they will help us put the groceries away”, said Dr. David Hanson, who leads engineers and designers that created Sophia.

Sophia could be used in areas such as health care, therapy, education, and customer service jobs. There are already fears lingering that the robots will replace human in many ways since Boston Dynamics has introduced Atlas, the humanoid robot that is capable of performing various tasks. More robots joining the robotic brigade are likely to take up human jobs.

Sophia has joined family of robots produced by Hanson Robotics; the Hanson family already has Joey Chaos, a humanoid punk rocker who loves to talk about music, according to company’s website.