Social Robots (e.g., SoftBank Robotics’ Pepper): Social robots like SoftBank Robotics’ Pepper are designed to interact with humans in natural, engaging ways, serving roles in customer service, education, and companionship. Standing about four feet tall with a humanoid form, expressive eyes, and touch-sensitive hands, Pepper uses cameras, microphones, and sensors to recognize faces, interpret emotions, and respond through speech and gestures. Deployed in retail stores, banks, hospitals, and schools, Pepper greets customers, answers questions, guides visitors, and provides information. In healthcare, it assists elderly patients by reminding them to take medication, encouraging social interaction, and reducing loneliness. In education, it supports language learning and STEM activities for children. Powered by AI and cloud connectivity, Pepper continuously learns from interactions to improve responses. While not physically strong, its emotional intelligence and communication skills make it ideal for front-facing roles. Challenges include language limitations and the need for ongoing maintenance. Despite mixed commercial success, Pepper has paved the way for emotionally intelligent robots. Social robots represent a growing field focused on human-robot interaction, aiming to enhance service experiences, support vulnerable populations, and explore how machines can build rapport and trust with people.
Add Comment + Vote ( 1 )...
There are currently no comments !