Little Sophia - The new coding companion of kids
Little Sophia is 14 inches tall with anime-style eyes.
CALIFORNIA (Web Desk) – A Californian company ‘Hanson Robotics’ has introduced a new robot by the name of ‘Little Sophia’ which serves as a coding companion for kids.
The new robot is the sister of close-to-lifelike humanoid Sophia launched earlier by the company.
Little Sophia is 14 inches tall with anime-style eyes, a silver body, and a bald head with a see-through backing
Little Sophia can track and recognize faces, walk and dance. Like many others, she responds to voice prompts and commands, but it seems like she does so in a more conversational way, by telling jokes, singing songs, playing games and chatting.
Little Sophia’s primary purpose is more educational.
Through an accompanying app for iOS and Android devices, the robot can be programmed using the Blockly and Python languages.
Targeted at ages 7 to 13, the idea is to inspire kids, and girls in particular, to develop an interest in the ever-important STEM fields.
“We believe that Little Sophia can help to introduce STEM, coding, and AI to children — especially girls — in a fun, safe, inspiring, and interactive way,” reads the Kickstarter campaign.
Little Sophia has managed to raise more than half of the US$75,000 goal with 59 days remaining.
A Little Sophia costs between $99 and $149, depending on when it’s ordered, and Hanson expects to deliver the bots in December 2019.
