Joburg-based designer dresses Sophia, the famous humanoid robot

Fred Eboka of the House of Eboka has had the honour of dressing many famous women: Nelson Mandela's widow Graca Machel, the late singer Miriam Makeba, and SA's current first lady, Tshepo Ramaphosa. Now he can add Sophia, the world’s first humanoid robot, to the list.

Sophia was developed by Hanson Robotics in Hong Kong; she was activated in 2016. Since then she's turned heads for her ability to use more than 50 facial expressions — a skill she's shown off in a number of high-profile interviews.

She also became the first robot to obtain citizenship of a country in 2017, when she became a citizen of Saudi Arabia.

The humanoid robot and her creator, David Hanson, spoke at the The Davos of Human Capital event in Johannesburg this month.

While Hanson wore a classic button-up shirt, tie and slacks, Sophia made a bolder fashion statement in a House of Eboka ensemble featuring a fitted jacket and tiered skirt in a blue shweshwe print.

“It is an absolute privilege for any designer in the world to be commissioned for a project like this,” said Eboka, who wanted to create a garment that would embody what an African humanoid robot would wear. 

“Sophia marks the beginning of the interactions between man and humanoids; this momentous moment in history cannot be underestimated. Dressing Sophia with South African-influenced design ensures South Africa and [The House of] Eboka are part of history.”

The Nigerian-born designer added, “the only challenge was having to consider the humanoid’s lack of flexibility compared to an actual human being who has a much wider range of motion.”

• This article is adapted from one originally published on the SowetanLIVE website. Read the original story here.