Talking Robots: David Hanson - Human-like Social Robots

In this episode of Talking Robots, Sabine Howard interviews David Hanson, the Director of Hanson Robotics, about his vision for creating social robots that communicate with people through natural facial expressions and engaging dialogue. Hanson discusses his early robots like the K-Bot and the Philippe K. Dick robot, highlighting the importance of artistry and engineering in creating human-like expressions. He also addresses the Uncanny Valley theory, arguing that well-designed robots can be appealing regardless of their level of realism. Hanson shares his thoughts on the ethics of android robotics, the potential for robots to develop compassion, and the future of social robotics research, particularly in cognitive architecture and actuator technology. He believes the biggest potential for robotics lies in didactic education and national security, envisioning consumer robots that enhance children's vocabulary and AI-driven military applications that reduce the need for lethal force. He advises researchers to study the market and understand customer needs for successful robotics ventures.