The creators of the Sophia robot are planning its mass introduction in a pandemic

“The COVID-19 world will need more and more automation to keep people safe,” said David Hanson said, Founder and CEO of Hanson Robotics.

He expressed confidence that robotic solutions to combat the pandemic are not limited to healthcare but can also help customers in retail and airlines.

Hanson said he intends to sell “thousands” of robots in 2021, both large and small, without naming a specific number.

“The robots Sophia and Hanson are unique in that they are human-like,” he added. “It can be beneficial in times when people are terribly lonely and socially isolated.”