Connect with us

Technology

Social Robot “Pepper” Wants To Add Spice to Life

The Pepper robot is a creation by SoftBank Robotics Corps aimed to learn human socialization through AI to serve as a technological friend.

Published

on

The Pepper Robot created by SoftBank Robotics Corps.

Pepper, the emotion-sensing humanoid robot, went on sale in Japan on 20 June 2015. All 1,000 models available “sold out in a minute”, according to Pepper’s creators SoftBank Robotics Corp. So who is Pepper? The Pepper robot is a four-foot tall autonomous robot who wants to make you happy.

How the Pepper Robot Does it’s Work

“Peppa-ru” (as pronounced in Japanese) interprets and responds to human emotions through advanced sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Related »
Dominos Delivery Drones Hit New Zealand

Pepper reads a person’s emotional state using facial recognition programming that identifies facial contortions such as frowning or smiling. Additionally, he also can sense emotion through vocal tone and has tactile sensors so he is able to learn the emotional association of touch.

That’s right, he learns and he is able to share what he’s learned with other Pepper units through his cloud storage function. As such, Pepper continually adapts to better respond to human emotions.

Pepper’s Maker Masayoshi Son & SoftBank Robotics Corps.

Pepper’s ability is the ultimate aim of Masayoshi Son, the CEO of SoftBank and one of the original minds responsible for Pepper’s creation.

According to Aldebaran’s website, Son wants Pepper to be a companion robot that is able to not only recognize unhappiness but knows just how to counteract a person’s sadness, whether that means telling a joke or playing a beloved song.

Related »
NASA's Humanlike Robot Astronaut Valkyrie at ECR for Trials

To increase communication potential, Pepper has a touch screen for interaction or to show what Pepper is sensing about a situation.  

Per Pepper’s creator Son, “We want to have a robot that will maximize people’s joy and minimize their sadness” according to PCWorld. To this end, Pepper also has, in true Japanese Kawaii style, big, friendly eyes and a small affectionate smile.

(Article Continues Below...)

Read More


Additional Capabilities

Additional specs for Pepper include remembering schedules and he is linked to the internet so he can research information. Pepper’s 3D camera helps him cruise about without hitting obstacles.

His “no pinch” articulated limbs Lets Pepper gesticulate smoothly while telling a story and learn new emotion driven movements through interaction.

Oh, and he can find his own power cord to recharge.

Write to Kristen E. Strubberg at kstrubberg@tgnreview.com

Sources: PCWorld, CNN, and Aldebaran’s site.

Join the Conversation - Follow TGNR on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, TumblrPintrest, Instagram, & Flipboard

Kristen E. Strubberg is the Editor-in-Chief for TGNR. Kristen founded TGNR in 2013 - seeking to create a high quality platform for original, eclectic and substantive positive news journalism by attracting expert contributors in many varying subjects. Kristen also works as a clinical medical researcher in Cardiology, with an original background in Neuroscience. Her passion for science has translated to her science-fiction specialization, with her highly adept published insights into the best of sci-fi’s popular culture. Kristen has served as TGNR’s Editor-in-Chief since 2013.

Comments

LISTEN TO THE A.D. HISTORY PODCAST