'Pepper' humanoid robot by Softbank Robotics Europe

Humanoid robot 'Pepper', with charger, by Softbank Robotics Europe, 2016. Serial number AP990236I02 Y63100333.

‘Pepper' was developed by Softbank Robotics Europe as the world's first 'emotional' humanoid robot able to recognise faces and basic human emotions. The robot was not intended as a fully-functioning domestic robot – it lacks the endurance, strength and mobility for that – but instead was optimised for human interaction and social engagement via its conversational AI and touchscreen interface. Being launched in Europe in 2016, production was paused in 2021 due to low consumer demand; Pepper was used for some time in a variety of commercial roles – mostly ‘meet and greet’ in stores and other retail situations, and has found a more enduring use in educational roles, and as a highly capable test-bed for university-level research into Human-Robot Interaction [HRI].