SoftBank to Unveil 'Pepper' in Taiwan Later This Year


BENGALURU: SoftBank is ready to unveil its human-like robot ‘Pepper’ in Taiwan later this year with about 100 rented units ready to make a splash in some banks and Carrefour SA shops, executives handling Pepper's sales said on Monday.

This will make Taiwan one of the first markets outside of Japan to launch Pepper, a key aspect of SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son's vision of future technology centered on ‘Internet of Things’.

The island is also home of Foxconn,the robot's contract maker, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co.

However, the irony lies in the fact that Pepper will not be available for sale or to consumers in Taiwan, which like many other international markets, is yet to recognize human-like robots as part of a usual lifestyle.

“The goal is to rent out  around 60 robots a month by sometime in the first half of 2017,” says Foxconn Executive Director Lu Fang-ming .

The banking units of Taishin Financial Holding Co  and First Financial Holding Co, the life insurance arm of Taiwanese telecommunication carrier Asia Pacific Telecom Co. and Cathay Financial Holding Co. are likely to put Pepper into their frontline service to support the basic needs of customers.

“Carrefour  has decided to start by putting two Pepper robots into its shops in Taiwan,” says Marilyn Su, National Marketing Director, Carrefour. Su said the first mission for the robot is to get accustomed to the customers. “ We will monitor the reactions of the customers to see how they interact with Pepper, especially children, before ordering any more,” he added.

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