Pepper (robot)
{{short description|Model of humanoid robot}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Infobox robot
| name =Pepper
| logo =
| logosize =
| logoalt =
| image = SoftBank pepper.JPG
| imagesize =
| alt = The robot Pepper standing in a retail environment
| caption = Pepper
| manufacturer = Aldebaran Robotics (formerly SoftBank Robotics, now part of United Robotics)
Foxconn
| country = France
Japan
| year_of_creation = first prototype 2012,
official launch June 2014
| price =
| type = Humanoid
| purpose = Technology demonstrator
| derived_from =
| replaced_by =
| current_supplier = Aldebaran as part of United Robotics
| last_production =
| website ={{URL| https://aldebaran.com/}}
}}
Pepper is a semi-humanoid robot manufactured by Aldebaran Robotics (formerly Softbank Robotics Europe), designed with the ability to read emotions. It was introduced in Japan in June 2014.
History
File:Pepper - France - Les Quatres Temps - Darty - 2016-11-04.jpg shop in La Défense, Paris, 2016]]
Pepper was introduced in Tokyo on 5 June 2014 by Masayoshi Son, founder of SoftBank.{{Cite web|date=5 June 2014|title=SoftBank Mobile and Aldebaran Unveil "Pepper" – the World's First Personal Robot That Reads Emotions|url=https://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/group/sbm/news/press/2014/20140605_01/|access-date=2020-08-22|website=SoftBank}} and was showcased in SoftBank Mobile phone stores in Japan beginning the next day.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/6/5/5781628/softbank-announces-pepper-robot |title=SoftBank announces emotional robots to staff its stores and watch your baby – {{resize|Pepper will go on sale for under $2,000 in February}} |date=5 June 2014 |website=theverge.com |last=Byford |first=Sam |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=11 June 2014 }}{{Cite news |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/06/05/business/corporate-business/softbank-unveils-pepper-worlds-first-robot-reads-emotions/#.U5hbI_m1ZbU |title=SoftBank unveils 'historic' robot – Cloud-linked machine reads emotions, can 'learn,' company says |date=5 June 2014 |newspaper=The Japan Times |last=Nagata |first=Kazuaki |access-date=11 June 2014}} Pepper's ability to recognize emotion is based on detection and analysis of facial expressions and voice tones. Production of Pepper was paused in June 2021, due to weak demand.{{Cite news|date=2021-06-29|title=RIP Pepper robot? SoftBank 'pauses' production|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57651405|access-date=2021-07-07}}
Pepper was scheduled to be available in December 2015 at SoftBank Mobile {{nowrap|stores.{{Cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/softbank-aldebaran-launch-pepper-an-emotional-robot/ |title=Softbank, Aldebaran launch Pepper, an emotional robot |date=5 June 2014 |website=ZDNet |last=Dignan |first=Larry |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=10 June 2014 }} }}Pepper went on sale in June 2015 with the first batch of 1,000 units selling out in just 60 seconds.{{cite news |last= Mogg|first=Trevor |date=September 8, 2015 |title=Man arrested for assaulting Pepper, the robot that can read your emotions |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/man-arrested-for-assaulting-pepper-the-robot-that-can-read-your-emotions/ |work=Digital Trends |access-date=September 8, 2015}}
Pepper was launched in the UK in 2016.{{cite web |last1=Doyle |first1=Siobhan |title=Pepper the robot makes parliamentary appearance |url=https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2018/10/pepper-the-robot-questioned-by-house-of-commons-select-committee-on-ai/ |website=Engineering & Technology |date=17 October 2018 |access-date=28 June 2021}}
By May 2018, 12,000 Pepper robots had been sold in Europe.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2018/05/30/softbank-robotics-business-pepper-boston-dynamics/|title=Softbank's Robotics Business Prepares To Scale Up|first=Parmy|last=Olson|website=Forbes}}
In June 2021, it was reported SoftBank would pause production of Pepper, citing weak demand.{{cite web |last1=Kudo |first1=Masaaki |title=SoftBank stops making Pepper robot but says it isn't dead |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/SoftBank-stops-making-Pepper-robot-but-says-it-isn-t-dead |website=asia.nikkei.com |access-date=28 June 2021}} At the time, an estimated 27,000 units had been manufactured.{{cite news |last1=Nussey |first1=Sam |title=SoftBank shrinks robotics business, stops Pepper production |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/exclusive-softbank-shrinks-robotics-business-stops-pepper-production-sources-2021-06-28/ |access-date=28 June 2021 |work=Reuters |date=28 June 2021}}
On 11 January 2024, a voice library based on Pepper's voice was released to the public by VoiSona{{cite web | title="Pepper" is released as an additional voice library for the AI singing software "VoiSona"! | website=@Press | date=11 January 2024 | url=https://en.atpress.com/news/381307 | access-date=12 January 2024}}{{cite web | last=Takoyaki | title=VoiSona kicks the year off with Pepper! + Site updates! | website=Vocal Synth Retailers Resource Blog | date=11 January 2024 | url=https://vocalsynthretailers.wordpress.com/2024/01/11/voisona-kicks-the-year-off-with-pepper-site-updates/ | access-date=12 January 2024}} (vocal synthesizer by the same creators as CeVIO).{{cite web |title=Pepper |url=https://voisona.com/artist/pepper_ja_JP_song/|website=VoiSona |date=11 January 2024 |access-date=11 January 2024}}
Use
=Commercial=
Pepper is currently{{when|date=January 2024}} being used as a receptionist at several offices in the UK and is able to identify visitors with the use of facial recognition, send alerts for meeting organisers and arrange for drinks to be made. Pepper is able to chat autonomously to prospective clients. The first functioning Pepper receptionist in the UK was supplied by a SoftBank distributor and was installed in London at Brainlabs.{{cn|date=January 2024}}
The robot has also been used at banks and medical facilities in Japan, using applications created by Seikatsu Kakumei.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLZO15841560X20C17A4L72000/|title=ロボで認知症見守り 生活革命がシステム IoTで負担軽減|website=日本経済新聞 電子版|date=28 April 2017 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLZO89352440V10C15A7L72000/|title=ヒト型ロボの病院受付システム 生活革命などが開発|website=日本経済新聞 電子版|date=16 July 2015 }}{{Cite web|url=https://mainichi.jp/articles/20160907/k00/00m/040/017000c|title=武蔵野銀行：ペッパーで受付業務…番号呼び出しと連動|website=毎日新聞}} and it is also used in all branches of Hamazushi restaurants in Japan.{{r|forbes}}
Pepper is being used in North American airports such as Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Montreal, Canada. The robot is used to greet travelers, offer menus and recommendations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hmshost.com/news/details/pepper-the-robot-lands-at-new-airports|title=Pepper the Robot Lands at New North American Airports|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308013656/https://www.hmshost.com/news/details/pepper-the-robot-lands-at-new-airports|url-status=dead}}
In 2018, Pepper robot was introduced first time in the United Arab Emirates.{{Cite web|url=https://www.softbankrobotics.com/emea/en/node/81|title=Jacky's Business Solutions add SoftBank Robotics' humanoid robot, Pepper, to its Visitor Management Solutions portfolio | SoftBank Robotics}}
In December 2019, a dozen of Pepper robots were installed at the "Pepper Parlor Café" in Tokyo, Japan.{{Cite web|title=Discover the Pepper PARLOR Café | SoftBank Robotics |url=https://www.softbankrobotics.com/emea/en/blog/videos/discover-pepper-parlor-cafe}}
= Sports =
On 9 July 2020, a team of Pepper robots performed as cheerleaders at a baseball game between the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and the Rakuten Eagles, supported by a team of Boston Dynamics Spot quadrupedal robots.{{Cite news|date=2020-07-09|title=Robot cheerleaders support Japanese baseball team|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/53352676|access-date=2020-07-09}}
=Consumer=
In 2017, Pepper was reported to have been used in thousands of homes in Japan.{{r|beeb}}
= Academic =
Pepper is available as a research and educational robot for schools, colleges and universities to teach programming and conduct research into human-robot interactions.{{cn|date=January 2024}}
In 2017, an international team began research into using Pepper as versatile robot to help look after older people in care homes or sheltered accommodation. The project CARESSES{{Cite web|url=http://caressesrobot.org/en/ | title = CARESSES website}} aimed at developing the world's first culturally-competent robot, received funding worth more than two million Euros, with donors including the European Union and the Japanese government. The project was expected to run for three years. Institutions involved in the research include University of Genoa (Project Coordinator), Örebro University, Middlesex University, the University of Bedfordshire, SoftBank Robotics, Advinia HealthCare, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Japanese coordinator), Nagoya University, Chubu University.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/education-38770516|title=Robots 'could solve social care crisis'|first=Hannah|last=Richardson|work=BBC News |date=30 January 2017}} On Tuesday 16 October 2018, a Pepper robot mentioned the CARESSES project while giving evidence to the Education Committee of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom Parliament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/49d8117b-09e8-45f4-89f4-1af11b643e9f |title=Parliamentlive.tv|website=www.parliamentlive.tv}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/uk-robot-pepper-commons-ai-select-committee-fourth-industrial-revolution-a8575741.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/uk-robot-pepper-commons-ai-select-committee-fourth-industrial-revolution-a8575741.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=A robot is going to appear before Parliament to give evidence|date=9 October 2018|website=The Independent}}{{Cite web |url=https://cordis.europa.eu/article/rcn/124202/en|title=Project of the Month: A world first as EU-funded project robot gives evidence on AI in a parliamentary hearing|date=29 October 2018|website=EU Cordis}}
Long-term research with Pepper could show that residents of care home are willing to interact with humanoid robots and benefit from cognitive and physical activation that is led by the robot Pepper.{{cite book |last1=Carros |first1=Felix |last2=Meurer |first2=Johanna |last3=Löffler |first3=Diana |last4=Unbehaun |first4=David |last5=Matthies |first5=Sarah |last6=Koch |first6=Inga |last7=Wieching |first7=Rainer |last8=Randall |first8=Dave |last9=Hassenzahl |first9=Marc |last10=Wulf |first10=Volker |title=Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems |chapter=Exploring Human-Robot Interaction with the Elderly: Results from a Ten-Week Case Study in a Care Home |date=21 April 2020 |pages=1–12 |doi=10.1145/3313831.3376402|isbn=9781450367080 |s2cid=218483496 }} Another long-term study in a care home could show that people working in the care sector are willing to use robots in their daily work with the residents.{{cite book |last1=Carros |first1=Felix |last2=Schwaninger |first2=Isabel |last3=Preussner |first3=Adrian |last4=Randall |first4=Dave |last5=Wieching |first5=Rainer |last6=Fitzpatrick |first6=Geraldine |last7=Wulf |first7=Volker |title=CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems |chapter=Care Workers Making Use of Robots: Results of a Three-Month Study on Human-Robot Interaction within a Care Home |date=May 2022 |pages=1–15 |doi=10.1145/3491102.3517435|isbn=9781450391573 |doi-access=free }} But it also revealed that even though that the robots are ready to be used, they do need human assistants, they cannot replace the human work force but they can assist them and give them new possibilities.
Design
=Purpose=
Pepper is not a functional robot for domestic use. Instead, Pepper is intended "to make people enjoy life", enhance people's lives, facilitate relationships, have fun with people and connect people with the outside world.{{Cite web |url=http://www.theskinny.co.uk/tech/features/pepper-robot |title=Artificial Intelligence levels up with Domestic Robots |date=23 September 2015 |publisher=The Skinny |access-date=31 December 2015 }} Pepper's creators hope that independent developers will create new content and uses for Pepper.{{Cite web |url=https://www.aldebaran.com/en/press/faq-about-pepper |title=FAQ About Pepper |publisher=Aldebaran |access-date=12 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212051816/https://www.aldebaran.com/en/press/faq-about-pepper |archive-date=12 February 2015 |df=dmy-all }}
=Specifications=
The robot's head has four microphones, two HD cameras (in the mouth and forehead), and a 3-D depth sensor (behind the eyes). There is a gyroscope in the torso and touch sensors in the head and hands. The mobile base has two sonars, six lasers, three bumper sensors, and a gyroscope.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ald.softbankrobotics.com/en/robots/pepper/find-out-more-about-pepper |title=Find out more about Pepper |website=ald.softbankrobotics.com |publisher=SoftBank Robotics |access-date=24 August 2017 }}
It is able to run the existing content in the app store designed for SoftBank's Nao robot.{{cn|date=January 2024}}
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |Pepper | |
| Dimensions | {{flatlist|* Height: {{convert|1.20|m|ft|0}}
|
| Weight | {{convert|28|kg|lb}} |
| Battery | Lithium-ion battery Capacity: 30.0Ah/795Wh Operation time: approx. 12hrs (when used at shop) |
| Display | 10.1-inch touch display |
| Head | Mic × 4, RGB camera × 2, 3D sensor × 1, Touch sensor × 3 |
| Chest | Gyro sensor × 1 |
| Hands | Touch sensor × 2 |
| Legs | Sonar sensor × 2, Laser sensor × 6, Bumper sensor × 3, Gyro sensor × 1 |
| Moving parts | Degrees of motion Head (2°), Shoulder (2° L&R), Elbow (2 rotations L&R), Wrist (1° L&R), Hand with 5 fingers (1° L&R), Hip (2°), Knee (1°), Base (3°) 20 Motors |
| Platform | NAOqi OS |
| Networking | Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 GHz/5 GHz） Ethernet x1 (10/100/1000 base T) |
| Motion speed | Up to {{convert|3|km/h|mph|0}} |
| Climbing | Up to {{convert|1.5|cm|in|1}} |
Incidents
In September 2015, a visitor frustrated with his customer experience in Tokyo lashed out against Pepper, damaging the unit.
In 2018, a supermarket in Edinburgh, Scotland removed the service robot within a week as it was unpopular with customers. This was said to be due to high levels of background noise making the robot unable to hear questions properly, and customers being unwilling to interact with a robot when human help was available.{{Cite web|last=Nichols|first=Greg|date=2018-01-22|title=Robot fired from grocery store for utter incompetence|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/robot-fired-from-grocery-store-for-utter-incompetence/|access-date=2020-06-15|website=ZDNet|language=en}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{official|https://www.softbankrobotics.com/us/pepper|Pepper on SoftBank Robotics}}
- [https://www.softbank.jp/en/robot/ Robot - SoftBank Group]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20200924013001/https://www.softbank.jp/robot/special/shiratoke/ Pepper special website] (archived September 2020; {{in lang|ja}})
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20170722215653/http://www.softbank.jp/robot/special/tech/ Pepper developer website] (archived July 2017; {{in lang|ja}})
{{Humanoid robots}}
{{SoftBank}}
{{Authority control}}