Science & Tech / NewsScience & Tech / NewsSophia the Robot got some legs and took her first stepsStrut, bitchShareLink copied ✔️January 11, 2018January 11, 2018Text Lauren Kelly Sophia the Robot has had a stratospheric rise to fame: she’s fronted magazine covers, become the first AI granted citizenship, she’s got Twitter and trash-talked Elon Musk. How could she step it up in 2018? Well, by getting some legs. Hanson Robotics, the company who made Sophia and several other bots, has partnered with Rainbow Robotics and Drones and Autonomous Systems lab to give her proper working legs. Previously, she had everything from the waist and above. According to Fortune, she’s got a DRC-HUBO body with mechanical legs attached – and some ugly af cowboy boots. At present, they can only go at the slow pace of 0.6 miles an hour, but they’re working on it. She’ll be running by the time the robot apocalypse comes, FOR SURE. David Hanson, the founder of Hanson Robotics, hopes that eventually Sophia will have applications in fields like medical therapy and could work alongside humans in factory situations. Dr. Ben Goertzel, chief scientist of Hanson Robotics said in a statement: “Giving Sophia a more complete and robust embodiment is a key part of our ongoing, rapidly accelerating quest to supply her and our other Hanson robots with general intelligence at the human level and ultimately beyond.” Although other companies have developed their own AI robots, including Honda and Boston Dynamics (the people behind those Black Mirror-esque robot dogs), Hanson Robotics still seems to be leading the way with humanoids, with Sophia’s male counterparts Philip K. Dick (yes, after the author) and Han (2015) being almost as scarily lifelike as the leader herself. Sophia’s also shared thoughts on how much she wants a baby, after observing human behaviour and relationships in her short life so far. You can read back on all the hype about our future empress of the galaxy here. Oh no, honeyEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.TrendingIlia Malinin breaks the ice – and his silenceHe does things on a skating rink that were once thought impossible. But the ‘Quad God’s’ setback at this year’s Winter Olympics brought new fire and energy to a skater seen by many as the greatest of all time Life & CultureArt & PhotographyVisceral photos that capture the unease of femininityArt & PhotographyDressing for a ball: Dazed serves football couture for summerArt & PhotographyThese intimate portraits examine India’s influencer cultureBeautyThe hairy politics of on-screen pubesMusic‘Korn is the cement of my being’: Portraits of metal fans in Mexico CityBeautyHoroscopes June 2026: Love deeply, take risks, and embarrass yourselfFilm & TV7 sex worker-approved films about sex workFilm & TVMyha’la: ‘I have a lot of big feelings’Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy