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Not as a normal, verified consumer purchase. Little Sophia was announced and offered for preorder through Hanson Robotics’ 2019 Kickstarter campaign, with advertised prices of $99 to $149. Hanson’s current product information still describes the 14-inch robot as being at the prototype stage and does not show a confirmed retail checkout, current stock listing, or 2026 consumer price.
The original headline was therefore accurate in its 2019 context—not proof that a new, working “mini Sophia” is available to buy today.
What was Little Sophia?
Little Sophia was Hanson Robotics’ smaller, consumer-oriented robot, marketed as Sophia the Robot’s “little sister.” The phrase was character branding, not a literal family relationship or claim that the robot was a conscious relative of Sophia.
Hanson positioned it as an educational companion for children, educators, robotics enthusiasts, and Sophia fans. The company’s product material lists it at 14 inches tall. Launch coverage described an anime-influenced face, silver body, bald head, and transparent rear housing.
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Sophia introduced Little Sophia during a reported November 2018 appearance on The Tonight Show. Hanson then launched the product through Kickstarter in January 2019.
Read the 2019 launch coverage.
What could Little Sophia do?
Hanson advertised Little Sophia as an interactive educational robot with physical movement, sensors, connectivity, and conversational features. Listed capabilities included:
- Walking
- Face tracking
- Chatting or responding to users
- Facial expressions
- Stories and jokes
- Games
- Singing and dancing
- Augmented-reality features for selfies
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
These were advertised or listed capabilities, not independently verified performance results. The available information does not establish the robot’s battery life, walking speed, speech quality, app compatibility, software-support lifespan, repairability, or reliability in everyday use.
“AI robot” should also be understood carefully. Little Sophia was presented as an interactive robot using software, sensors, motors, and conversational systems. Facial expressions and scripted or software-generated replies do not demonstrate consciousness, emotions, human-level reasoning, or independent thought. Hanson’s broader technology descriptions discuss perception, dialogue, computer vision, emotional-response systems, and motor control, but those general descriptions should not automatically be treated as Little Sophia’s complete technical specification. Hanson’s technology overview provides that broader context.
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How was it programmed?
Hanson promoted two programming routes:
- Blockly: a visual, block-based system intended to make programming easier for beginners.
- Python: a text-based language offering a more conventional route for older or more advanced learners.
The campaign positioned the robot as a way to introduce children to coding, artificial intelligence, and STEM concepts. Hanson’s dated material described the intended audience as children aged 8 and older, while launch coverage described a target range of roughly 7 to 13. Those figures belong to different versions of the product messaging and should not be treated as a universal current age rating.
The available evidence does not confirm the current app name, supported operating systems, account requirements, Python subset, API documentation, or whether the required software remains downloadable in 2026. That matters because a robot can remain physically functional while losing much of its educational value if its app, cloud services, or programming documentation disappear.
How much did Little Sophia cost?
The reported Kickstarter pricing was approximately $99 to $149, depending on the early-bird or order tier. The campaign expected delivery in December 2019.
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- 【BRING MORE LIFE TO YOUR DESK】 Meet Eilik – your little robot friend with personality. With loving animations, expressive reactions, and playful interactions, Eilik brings more joy to your everyday life. Whether on your desk, at your workspace, or by your bedside, Eilik quickly becomes a familiar companion for special moments.
- 【EVERY INTERACTION BRINGS A NEW SURPRISE】 Touch Eilik and discover playful reactions that bring your little robot friend to life. Whether you’re giving Eilik a gentle touch, picking Eilik up, or playing together, Eilik responds with expressive animations, charming expressions, and playful reactions. Every interaction reveals more of Eilik’s personality and makes your little companion feel even more special.
- 【READY FOR LITTLE MOMENTS, RIGHT AWAY】 Eilik is ready to interact right out of the box – no complicated setup required. A simple touch is all it takes, and Eilik responds with expressive animations and charming reactions. Easy, intuitive, and full of little surprises that make every moment special.
- 【EVEN MORE FUN TOGETHER】 Every Eilik has its own charm. Bring two or more Eiliks together and watch them interact in their own playful ways – they play, dance, tease each other, and create fun moments together. Whether with friends, family, or as a couple, more Eiliks mean even more ways to play and enjoy.
- 【MORE POSSIBILITIES AWAIT】 Eilik is more than a little robot – it’s the beginning of a bigger world filled with new experiences. Expand your Eilik experience with AI Station for natural AI conversations and Panxer for exciting adventures. Regular updates also bring new animations, games, and surprises along the way.(AI Station and Panxer sold separately.)
Do not treat an old Kickstarter page or article as evidence that Hanson is currently selling new units.
Can you buy Little Sophia today?
Hanson Robotics still has a Little Sophia product page, but its current material describes the robot as being in the prototype stage and directs readers toward its Indiegogo and Kickstarter pages for updates. It does not provide a normal current retail checkout, confirmed inventory status, or verified 2026 consumer price.
The safest conclusion is that current official consumer availability is unverified. A secondhand marketplace listing, an old preorder page, or an abandoned crowdfunding page is not the same as an active Hanson Robotics sale.
If you find a used or supposedly new unit
Before paying, verify all of the following:
- Seller: Confirm whether the seller is Hanson Robotics, an original campaign backer, or an unrelated reseller.
- Provenance: Ask whether the unit was delivered from the original campaign, used, refurbished, or merely a prototype.
- Software: Confirm that the companion app still installs and that Blockly and Python features work on your devices.
- Connectivity: Ask whether Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, servers, accounts, cameras, and microphones still function.
- Hardware: Test the battery, charger, motors, walking mechanism, facial actuators, microphones, cameras, and wireless connections.
- Support: Check for firmware updates, replacement parts, battery service, technical support, warranty coverage, and a realistic return policy.
- Privacy: Determine what data the robot collects, whether it requires an online account, and how its camera and microphone operate around children.
Because the original campaign price was low relative to many advanced robots, a high resale price deserves particular caution. Paying a premium for an unverified unit with dead software or no repair path could leave you with a display object rather than a usable educational robot.
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Little Sophia is not the full-size Sophia
Hanson Robotics currently promotes a separate product called Sophia Robot Utility. Hanson describes it for businesses, research, education, retail, events, and other institutional uses, with prospective buyers directed toward an inquiry process.
That is not Little Sophia, not a household toy, and not evidence that the smaller robot is available for a few hundred dollars. A purchase inquiry for Sophia Utility is an enterprise sales route, not an immediate consumer checkout.
Who was Little Sophia meant for?
Its intended audience included:
- Children learning introductory STEM and coding
- Teachers and organizations running robotics or computer-science activities
- Robotics enthusiasts and collectors
- Fans of Sophia and social robotics
Its physical, human-like form could make programming more engaging than a screen-only lesson for some learners. It also promised a combination of movement, character interaction, visual programming, and Python.
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However, the humanoid appearance does not guarantee deep programming instruction. A screen-based coding platform may be easier to maintain and less dependent on batteries, apps, and cloud services. Educational programmable robots may offer clearer lesson plans and classroom documentation, even if they are less visually similar to a person. Social companion robots may provide richer interaction but may be less useful for learning code.
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- Hand Gesture Sensing and Remote Control Robot:Toy Robot is controlled by hand gestures or by remote control;The smart robot moves forward and backward, and turns left and right according to your gestures or the remote control;Collision detection sensors ensure that the robot detects obstacles and does not crash;RC Robot eyes light up with LEDs when it moves
- Programmable Actions:This toy robot can be programmed using the remote to record up to 50 moves using the moves record feature;Perfect presents for boys girls age 6 7 8 9 year old and up
- Singing and Dancing:This smart programmable Robot sings a number of songs and dances to the beat;Robot also talks! There is a volume control feature on the remote to control music and talking volume
- Rechargeable Robot Toy:The kids toys robot charges via USB;Two hours of charging time offers 1.5-3 hours of uninterrupted play time and 15-30 days in standby mode
- Ideal Birthday & Kids Intimate Companion: Robot is suitable for kids 6 and older;The infrared control Robot is versatile and vivid can dance,sing,walk,patrol,even can speak.
What the 2019 headline leaves out
Contemporary coverage naturally focused on Sophia’s celebrity, the robot’s appearance, and the low crowdfunding price. The more important ownership questions are less visible:
- Was the unit actually available as a finished retail product?
- Would the companion software continue to work?
- Could owners obtain repairs or replacement batteries?
- What internet, account, camera, and microphone requirements applied?
- Did expected delivery translate into universal fulfillment?
The current prototype-stage wording on Hanson’s product material makes those questions especially important. The original launch claims should be separated from what can be verified about ownership today.
Bottom line
Little Sophia was a real Hanson Robotics product concept and a real 2019 crowdfunding offer. It was advertised as a 14-inch educational robot that could interact with children, move, express itself, and support Blockly and Python programming. Its historical campaign price was about $99 to $149, with delivery expected in December 2019.
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Check Hanson Robotics’ official Little Sophia page for the latest status rather than relying on an old headline or a historical Kickstarter price.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

