Artificially intelligent robot "Sophia" created and programmed by Hanson Robotics, a Hong Kong-based humanoid robotics company, is the first robot in the world to be recognised with a citizenship of Saudi Arabia.
Sophia’s face is made of a patented material called “Frubber” (a flesh rubber), a proprietary nano-tech skin that mimics real human musculature and skin, allowing her to simulate human-like facial features and expressions. Her “brain” runs on MindCloud, Hanson Robotics’ cloud-based artificially intelligence (AI), which enables large-scale cloud control and deep-learning data analytics for processing massive social data gathered from interactions. The AI and cognitive architecture that make up Sofia's neural network make her possible to hold eye contact, recognise faces and understand human speech.
Various control systems are run on Sophia, namely the Timeline Editor, Sophisticated Chat System and OpenCog. Timeline Editor is a straight scripting software, whereas the Sophisticated Chat System allows Sophia to pick up and respond to key words and phrases. The OpenCog grounds Sophia's answers in experience and reasoning.
The mission of Hanson Robotics devoting to AI robotics is to help solve problems in the world such as hunger and poverty with higher intelligence of AI robots. Currently, Sophia can work for certain job functions such as promoting products, guiding directions and providing customer services. In the far future, there is a possible vision that AI robots can be smarter and help on humans’ work even more.
Mr Nicholas Yang, Secretary for Innovation and Technology, attended a press conference hosted by Non-Invasive Surgical Innovations (HK) Limited (NISI) on August 7.
At the press conference, NISI announced successful completion of a series of world-first complex abdominal and pelvic robotic surgeries performed through a natural orifice in live pigs by eminent clinical professors from Hong Kong. This was achieved by using NISI’s revolutionary surgical robotic system, allowing complex surgeries and the removal of bulky tumors via natural orifices without the need for abdominal incisions.
Automotive Parts and Accessory Systems R&D Centre (APAS), operating under the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), held the "APAS R&D Centre Showcase 2018" on July 26. The opening ceremony was led by Dr David Chung, Acting Secretary for Innovation and Technology, and Mr Bryan Ha, Assistant Commissioner for Innovation and Technology (Funding Schemes). Under the theme of "Autonomous Technology Development", the event comprised a technical seminar and an exhibition of APAS latest research and development (R&D) results.
Prof Joachim Hermann Ullrich, Vice-President of the International Committee of Weights and Measures (CIPM), cum President of the Consultative Committee for Units (CCU) of the CIPM and President of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), the National Metrology Institute of Germany, visited the Standards and Calibration Laboratory (SCL) on July 12.
May 20, 2019 will make its mark in history as the memorable day of the implementation of the revised International System of Units (SI). On that day, there will be a major revision of the SI, the foundation of measurements. Four out of seven base units of the SI will be redefined based on the fundamental constants, which remove the current limitations imposed by the use of artefact standards. The change will bring significant impacts and further developments to the modern world.
Upcoming I&T Events
The Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI) Showcase 2018 will be held from September 3 to 7, 2018, at Hong Kong Science Park. All visitors are welcome to join and learn about NAMI’s recent success in an international innovation exhibition and its collaborative achievements with local enterprises. Eleven awarded technologies and 19 ready-to-market technological products in five market sectors will be presented. Click here for more details.
The Innovation and Technology Commission is now inviting funding applications under the Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP) of the Innovation and Technology Fund. The ITSP offers a three-tier funding framework for different types of research projects. The application period will last until September 28, 2018. Click here for more details.
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