The future of AI, robots and education

Hanson Robotics' Little Sophia is Sophia the Robot's little sister. Little Sophia, a human-like miniature version of Sophia is a new kind of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), AI, and coding learning companion for ages 7+ individuals and a great tool for teachers and schools.

With 14-inch tall Little Sophia, Hanson Robotics aims to encourage early introduction of STEM, AI, coding, and robotics to children in a fun and creative way, picking on the natural curiosity of the little humans. Little Sophia can do everything that big Sophia can, just in a smaller size. Little Sophia is an educational consumer robot with dozens of facial expressions as well as facial tracking and facial recognition technology. She tells stories, jokes, plays games and sings and can have educational interactive chats with the user. These characteristics make Little Sophia a perfect teaching companion for children. She converses with children naturally while teaching STEM, coding, and AI.

According to Hanson Robotics, Little Sophia interfaces with Raspberry Pi, allowing children to learn electronics and robotics as well, letting them help Little Sophia become as smart and capable with the power of their own imagination. Little Sophia responds to commands and also actively engages in conversations with her users. This unparalleled responsiveness paired with her humanoid design makes Little Sophia a smart, educational companion unlike any other.

Hanson Robotics believes that the incorporation of Little Sophia in education can help not only introduce STEM, coding, robotics, and AI to children but also trigger more the curiosity of girls in these areas in a fun, safe, inspiring, and interactive way that has the potential to make a difference in reversing the current trends.

In February 2019, iTutorGroup, a global leading company in e-learning education based in Shanghai, announced a strategic partnership with Hanson Robotics Limited. iTutorGroup has named Sophia the Robot as its official ambassador and future AI tutor. As online education becomes more and more mainstream, AI is going to play a paramount role in its mass development and adoption. Sophia and little Sophia is just the start of AI and the future of robots in education.