SoftBank's Humanoid Robot, Pepper, Reportedly Frequently Made Errors, Prompting Dismissal

SoftBank introduced the humanoid robot Pepper in 2014 and began selling it in 2015 for about $2,000 plus monthly subscription fees starting at $550. The robot was deployed across various sectors in Japan but consistently failed to meet expectations. At Nissei Eco Co., Pepper was programmed to chant Buddhist sutras at funeral services but kept breaking down during practice runs, leading to its termination. At an Ittokai nursing home, three Pepper units costing $900 per month each were used to lead singing and exercises for elderly residents, but users lost interest due to limited repertoire and mechanical errors, resulting in contract termination after three years. Mizuho Financial Group deployed Pepper in bank lobbies to recommend financial products, but the robot is no longer with the bank. Individual consumers also experienced problems, with technology journalist Tsutsumu Ishikawa spending at least $9,000 over three years on a Pepper that failed to recognize family members or maintain proper conversations. SoftBank halted Pepper production in 2020 and restructured its robotics teams. The robot's human-like appearance raised expectations that its limited technology could not meet, and many of its functions could be performed more reliably by smart speakers or smartphone assistants at lower cost.