Lifelike robot Sophia jokes of plans to 'dominate the human race' on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show

An eerily realistic robot with a sassy sense of humour pitted her wits against one of America's top TV personalities. Sophia took to the stage of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to share a joke or two with the comedian.

But audiences may be divided in their feelings about the robot, with some viewing Sophia as 'attractive' while others felt uncomfortable.

Sophia is the creation of American robotics expert David Hanson, who believes that artificial lifeforms can foster better connections with people if they take on a human form. She has gathered somewhat of a cult following through her regular media appearances. And her spot, which aired in the US on Tuesday night at 11:34 pm ET, will no doubt gain the lifelike robot a number of new fans.

Sophia shared a joke with the former Saturday Night Live cast-member, asking, ' What cheese can never be yours?' The answer: 'nacho cheese.'

She also challenged Jimmy to a game of rock, paper, scissors - and won.

But not everyone will be as charmed by her unique sense of humour and humanlike design.

After Sophia confessed her tongue- incheek plans to 'dominate the human race' Fallon's other guests, comedians Patton Oswalt and John Oliver, voiced mock-concern over Sophia, with Oliver predicting 'That's how we die.'

And while the tone was obviously light- hearted, it masks a long- standing problem in robotics, what has been termed the ' uncanny valley'. Coined by Japanese professor of robotics Masahiro Mori, it refers to the point at which a robot looks almost realistic enough to pass for a human, but retain enough artificiality to make people uncomfortable.

Dr. Hanson modelled Sophia after Audrey Hepburn and his wife and is intended to embody classic beauty, the company says.

She has fine porcelain skin, a slender nose, high cheekbones, an intriguing smile and deeply expressive eyes.

The robot's skin is made from a malleable material called Frubber, an elastic form of rubber, with multiple motors hid- den beneath it.

Sophia is able to make numerous natural-looking facial expressions, including blinking and smiling.

She is also capable of understanding speech and remembering interactions, including faces, so she gets smarter over time. The android uses cameras in her eyes to see and a computer algorithm in her 'brain' is able to recognise faces and make eye contact.

Dr. Hanson wants to use robots to forge connections with socially isolated people like the elderly. The robot was designed to work in healthcare, education or a customer service role, helping people interact with the outside world.

He has created about 20 robots through his company Hanson Robotics and believes that artificial lifeforms can foster better connections with people if they take on a human form.

While the achievements are impressive, they have not quite managed to overcome the discomfort factor. But Sophia's creator is confident that this will eventually happen.

Speaking after a previous appearance on CNBC in March 2016, Dr Hanson said: 'I do believe there will come a time when robots are indistinguishable from humans.

' Twenty years from now human- like robots will walk among us, they will help us, play with us, teach us, help us put groceries away.

'I think AI will evolve to a point where they will truly be our friends.' ( © Daily Mail, London)