Overview

Pepper is a humanoid robot that became known under the umbrella of SoftBank Robotics and was developed for interaction with people. It was primarily used in reception, retail, and research. It was not designed for physical work, but for communication.

Design

At around 121 centimeters tall and weighing approximately 29 kilograms, Pepper is deliberately kept small and light. It moves on a mobile base instead of legs and has around 20 degrees of freedom for expressive gestures. A tablet on the chest serves as the control interface.

Technology and AI

Pepper was designed to recognize faces and simple emotions and respond to them. Sensors and microphones supported interaction with visitors.

Market Significance

Production was already paused in the early 2020s. The original manufacturer Aldebaran filed for insolvency in 2025; in July 2025, the Chinese company Maxvision acquired key assets including the rights to Pepper and NAO. New units are not currently being manufactured.