David Hanson

David Hanson is the founder and CEO of Hanson Robotics, a company known for developing highly advanced humanoid robots.13 He is a prominent figure in the field of robotics and artificial intelligence, with a lifelong quest to create lifelike, caring machines.4

Background and Education

Hanson holds a Ph.D. in Interactive Arts and Technology from the University of Texas at Dallas and a BFA in Film Animation Video from the Rhode Island School of Design.1 His diverse educational background combines art and technology, which is reflected in his approach to robotics.

Career Highlights

Walt Disney Imagineer:: Before founding Hanson Robotics, Hanson worked as both a sculptor and technical consultant in robotics for Walt Disney Imagineering.1

Hanson Robotics:: As the founder and CEO, Hanson leads the company in developing some of the world's most human-like robots in appearance.4 Their most famous creation is Sophia, the first robot to be granted citizenship by a country (Saudi Arabia).2

Research and Publications:: Hanson has published numerous papers in various scientific journals, covering topics such as materials science, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and robotics.1 He has also authored two books, including "Humanizing Robots".1

Achievements and Recognition

Hanson's work has earned him several awards and accolades, including:

• Awards from NASA and NSF
• Tech Titans' Innovator of the Year
• Recognition from RISD and Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial
• Co-recipient of the 2005 AAAI first place prize for open interaction of an AI system1

His innovative work has been featured in major media outlets such as the New York Times, Popular Science, Scientific American, WIRED, BBC, and CNN.1

David Hanson's approach to robotics integrates figurative arts with cognitive science and robotics engineering, focusing on creating robots that can engage in natural face-to-face conversations and serve various purposes in AI research, education, and therapy.4