Pepper Robot Review 2026: Price, Specs & Pepper+

Pepper Robot: Quick Buyer Verdict

Pepper should be evaluated as a human-interaction platform, not as a physical worker.

That distinction explains both why Pepper can still be useful more than a decade after its introduction and why it is the wrong robot for many automation projects.

The robot combines a humanoid upper body, expressive arms and head movements, cameras, microphones, speakers, a touchscreen and an omnidirectional wheeled base. This makes it unusually good at attracting attention and creating a visible interaction point between a company and a customer.

It does not give Pepper the physical capabilities of newer humanoids such as walking, climbing stairs, carrying meaningful payloads or performing general manipulation.

Pros

• One of the most recognisable social robots in the world.
• Designed specifically around human-robot interaction rather than industrial automation.
• Expressive head, arms, hands, voice and body movement.
• Integrated touchscreen provides a second interaction channel when speech is difficult.
• Multiple cameras, microphones and proximity sensors.
• Omnidirectional wheeled base allows movement without the balance risk of a biped.
• Strong existing body of educational, research and commercial deployment experience.
• Large historical software and developer ecosystem.
• Pepper+ substantially modernises the AI proposition in Japan.
• Current commercial plans can include support rather than requiring outright robot ownership.

Cons

• Not a modern general-purpose humanoid worker.
• Cannot climb stairs.
• Designed for smooth indoor floors rather than general autonomous mobility.
• Maximum published obstacle height is only approximately 1.5 cm.
• Arms and hands are not practical industrial manipulators.
• No meaningful material-handling capability.
• Older Pepper software stacks can feel dated beside current robotics platforms.
• Legacy applications may not migrate directly to Pepper+ or successor platforms.
• Commercial availability and support differ materially by country.
• Buying a used Pepper without confirming software access, cloud services, battery health and parts support can be risky.

Our recommendation: shortlist Pepper when the task is fundamentally about getting people to stop, look, talk, learn, answer questions or interact. If the business case depends on carrying, picking, delivering, cleaning or physically manipulating objects, choose another robot class.

Review the Pepper robot listing at Anton Robots before requesting availability.

How Much Does the Pepper Robot Cost in 2026?

There is no single global Pepper price in 2026.

The clearest current commercial pricing comes from SoftBank Robotics in Japan, where the new Pepper+ is offered primarily through rental and service plans rather than a simple global hardware purchase price.

Do not compare Pepper using hardware price alone

Pepper is unusually dependent on its surrounding software and service package.

A complete commercial deployment can include:

• Robot access or rental.
• Applications.
• AI services.
• Content development.
• Custom dialogue flows.
• Product or company information integration.
• Cloud connectivity.
• Installation and configuration.
• Support.
• Repairs.
• Analytics.
• Staff training.

A cheap second-hand robot can therefore be worse value than a more expensive supported deployment.

The used-Pepper problem

Pepper robots regularly appear on secondary markets because the platform has existed for more than a decade.

Before buying one, confirm:

• The exact hardware generation.
• The installed NAOqi version.
• Tablet generation and operating system.
• Administrator access.
• Whether developer mode can be enabled.
• Whether required cloud services still operate.
• Application licences.
• Battery condition.
• Charger availability.
• Access to spare parts.
• Repair options in your country.
• Whether the robot is locked to a previous commercial programme.

Buyer rule: never treat a used Pepper as ordinary computer hardware. The useful product is the combination of robot, software access, services and support.

Is Pepper Still Available in 2026?

Yes—but the answer depends on the country and the Pepper version.

This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of Pepper.

Japan: Pepper is actively being developed and sold as a service

SoftBank Robotics launched Pepper+ on 2 February 2026.

The new commercial offer introduces a refreshed tablet, updated Android environment, generative-AI applications and video-analysis functionality, with current deployments focused particularly on retail, reception and care.

SoftBank also continues to maintain support infrastructure for multiple existing Pepper programmes.

Legacy Japanese business programmes are transitioning

SoftBank has announced planned migration from older commercial programmes toward Pepper+.

Pepper for Promotion is currently scheduled to end on 1 February 2027, while Pepper for Care is scheduled to end later in 2027.

Existing customers therefore need to distinguish between:

• The physical Pepper robot.
• The commercial service attached to it.
• The applications available under that service.
• The upgrade path to Pepper+.

A robot may remain physically functional even when a particular subscription or cloud service changes.

Europe: the strategic direction is different

United Robotics Group, which inherited substantial expertise around Pepper and NAO in Europe, now explicitly discusses migration from ageing Pepper and NAO fleets toward newer platforms.

Its guidance for existing Pepper fleets is essentially that owners can continue operating them while hardware and spare parts remain viable, while new projects should consider a platform with a secured future support path.

That makes a new European Pepper purchase a very different decision from deploying Pepper+ in Japan.

What about the US, Australia and other markets?

Do not assume that Japanese pricing, European support or historical US Pepper programmes apply globally.

For any new deployment, ask the supplier to confirm in writing:

• Whether new robots are available.
• Whether they are sold, leased or rented.
• Which company provides local support.
• Which Pepper version is supplied.
• Which software services are active.
• Which applications are included.
• Where repairs are performed.
• How long spare parts are expected to remain available.

What Is the Pepper Robot?

Pepper is a wheeled humanoid social robot originally introduced in 2014 and designed primarily to communicate with people.

Unlike the new generation of humanoids built around bipedal locomotion and physical manipulation, Pepper uses a three-wheel omnidirectional base.

Its humanoid characteristics are concentrated in the upper body:

• Head and gaze movement.
• Two articulated arms.
• Articulated hands.
• Body gestures.
• Speech.
• Microphones.
• Cameras.
• Touch sensors.
• Chest-mounted touchscreen.

This architecture was a deliberate design choice.

Pepper does not need legs to greet somebody, explain a product, ask survey questions, lead an educational activity or act as an interactive reception point.

What Pepper is

• A social and customer-interaction robot.
• A physical alternative to a digital kiosk for some applications.
• A programmable human-robot-interaction platform.
• A promotional and event robot.
• An educational robotics platform.
• A structured conversational interface.
• A mobile interactive display for suitable indoor spaces.
• A platform with more than a decade of real deployment history.

What Pepper is not

• It is not a walking humanoid.
• It is not a general-purpose physical worker.
• It is not designed to lift useful industrial payloads.
• It is not a delivery robot.
• It is not an autonomous cleaning robot.
• It cannot climb stairs.
• It is not designed for uneven outdoor terrain.
• It is not an industrial manipulator.
• It is not automatically capable of every AI interaction shown in a customised demonstration.

Pepper’s appearance can create expectations that its physical capability is similar to that of a human.

It is not.

The value is in the interface with the person, not in replacing the person’s hands and legs.

If you are evaluating the wider category, compare current service robots, customer-service robots and humanoid robots before choosing a platform.

Pepper vs Pepper+: What Changed in 2026?

Pepper+ is the most important development in the Pepper platform for years.

It does not transform Pepper into a walking or manipulating humanoid. Instead, SoftBank has modernised the part of the product that matters most for Pepper’s intended role: software, AI, customer interaction and the tablet experience.

Pepper+ does not make the old physical limitations disappear

This matters.

A better language model does not increase wheel clearance.

A better AI sales agent does not make Pepper climb stairs.

A better tablet does not turn the hands into industrial grippers.

Pepper+ should therefore be viewed as a modernisation of Pepper’s strongest category—human interaction, not a complete redesign into a general-purpose humanoid.

Should existing Pepper users upgrade?

An upgrade makes the most sense when:

• The current application depends heavily on conversation.
• Generative AI would improve customer interaction.
• The old tablet limits application development.
• The organisation uses an older Japanese commercial programme that is being phased out.
• Current support is more valuable than maintaining a legacy software stack.

Do not assume that a custom legacy application will transfer automatically.

Request a migration assessment before changing platforms.

Pepper Robot Specifications

The following figures reflect SoftBank Robotics’ currently published specifications for the established Pepper platform.

Pepper+ introduces a new tablet and software environment, but SoftBank does not publish a complete public mechanical change table comparing every Pepper+ component with earlier Pepper hardware. Buyers should therefore confirm the exact specification of the unit included in a 2026 contract.

The dimensions are part of Pepper’s value

At approximately 1.21 m tall, Pepper is large enough to feel like a physical presence without approaching the mass and kinetic risk of a full-size modern humanoid.

Its 29 kg weight also means it should not be treated as portable consumer electronics.

A deployment should plan where Pepper will operate, charge and remain when not in use.

The 1.5 cm figure matters more than the 2 km/h figure

Buyers often focus on robot speed.

For Pepper, floor compatibility is usually more important.

A published obstacle limit of approximately 1.5 cm means that:

• Thresholds matter.
• Cable covers matter.
• Floor transitions matter.
• Rugs matter.
• Small steps matter.
• Temporary event flooring matters.

Inspect the actual site before assuming Pepper can move through it.

Conversation, AI and Human Interaction

Human interaction is the reason Pepper still exists as a meaningful product category.

Its body is designed around the conversation.

Pepper can combine:

• Speech.
• Head movement.
• Eye direction.
• Arm gestures.
• Body movement.
• Touchscreen content.
• Touch sensing.
• Camera-based perception.
• Application logic.

That multimodal interaction is fundamentally different from speaking to a tablet mounted on a stand.

What Pepper+ adds

The 2026 Pepper+ offer introduces AI applications designed to make interactions less rigid.

SoftBank describes retail applications capable of using information about products and visual cues such as clothing or facial expressions to tailor the conversation and recommendations.

This should still be understood as application-specific AI.

It does not mean Pepper has unrestricted human-level social understanding.

Can Pepper use generative AI?

Yes.

Pepper has already been integrated with external conversational AI systems, and Pepper+ now makes generative-AI applications part of the official Japanese product direction.

Generative AI can improve:

• Natural-language questions.
• Product explanation.
• Recommendation conversations.
• Reception.
• Entertainment.
• Educational activities.
• Multilingual interaction.

But a language model does not solve the entire customer-service problem.

A commercial deployment still needs:

• Approved information sources.
• Rules around what Pepper can say.
• Escalation to human staff.
• Logging.
• Privacy review.
• Failure handling.
• Network availability.
• Regular content updates.

Can Pepper recognise emotions?

Pepper has historically been marketed around recognising human expressions and social cues, and current Pepper+ applications use visual analysis including facial-expression information.

Buyers should avoid interpreting this as literal mind reading.

Visual systems classify observable signals.

They cannot reliably know a person’s internal emotional state.

For serious applications, treat expression analysis as one probabilistic input rather than a fact about the person.

Why the touchscreen still matters

Speech interfaces fail in the real world.

Retail stores, airports, exhibitions and events can be noisy.

People have different accents.

Some users do not want to speak to a robot.

The touchscreen provides:

• Menu navigation.
• Confirmation.
• Forms.
• Surveys.
• QR workflows.
• Product information.
• Fallback when speech recognition fails.

This multimodal design remains one of Pepper’s practical strengths.

Pepper Mobility and Autonomous Navigation

Pepper uses three omnidirectional wheels rather than legs.

That gives it smooth 360-degree movement on suitable floors and removes the balance problem faced by bipedal humanoids.

It also defines the robot’s limits.

Where Pepper moves well

Pepper is best suited to:

• Smooth retail floors.
• Reception areas.
• Offices.
• Classrooms.
• Museums.
• Care facilities with appropriate flooring.
• Exhibition spaces.
• Other controlled indoor environments.

Where Pepper should not be used

SoftBank’s operating guidance requires an indoor environment with a flat, hard floor and sufficient surrounding space.

Avoid:

• Stairs.
• Steps.
• Uneven flooring.
• Soft play mats.
• Thick carpet.
• Rain.
• Outdoor routes.
• Strong direct sunlight.
• Loose cables.
• Cluttered narrow passages.

SoftBank recommends approximately 90 cm of free space around Pepper for normal operation.

Can Pepper navigate autonomously?

Pepper’s software ecosystem includes localisation and movement capabilities that allow developers and supported applications to create navigation behaviour in mapped indoor spaces.

But it should not be compared directly with a modern logistics AMR.

An AMR designed for autonomous transport may offer:

• More advanced industrial LiDAR.
• Better obstacle clearance.
• Automatic charging.
• Fleet management.
• Elevator integration.
• Higher payload.
• Long-distance route optimisation.

Pepper’s movement is primarily there to support interaction.

Can Pepper climb stairs?

No.

The wheeled base makes normal stairs impossible.

A multi-floor deployment therefore requires Pepper to be transported between floors or integrated into an appropriate elevator workflow if supported by the specific application and site.

Do not buy Pepper because its humanoid appearance suggests it can access every place a human can.

Pepper Arms, Hands and Physical Capabilities

Pepper has articulated shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands.

These joints make the robot look expressive.

They should not be confused with industrial manipulation hardware.

What the arms are good at

Pepper’s arms support:

• Pointing.
• Greeting.
• Waving.
• Dance routines.
• Presentation gestures.
• Social cues.
• Making speech more engaging.

This is valuable in human-robot interaction.

A robot saying “the information is on the screen” while physically directing attention toward its chest creates a more understandable interaction than audio alone.

What the arms are not designed for

Do not plan Pepper around:

• Picking products from shelves.
• Carrying shopping bags.
• Opening heavy doors.
• Loading machines.
• Moving boxes.
• Serving trays.
• Industrial assembly.
• Reliable dexterous manipulation.

SoftBank does not position Pepper’s arms around a useful industrial payload specification.

That tells the buyer what the arms are for.

They are part of the communication system.

What about the fingers?

The hands make Pepper more human-like and support expressive behaviour and touch interaction.

They are not comparable with modern force-controlled dexterous hands designed to manipulate tools and objects.

If your application requires the robot to physically interact with products, the required object should be defined before choosing a robot.

Pepper will usually not be the answer.

Pepper SDK, Software and Developer Ecosystem

Pepper has one of the longest software histories of any commercially deployed social robot.

That is simultaneously an advantage and a complication.

There are multiple generations of software.

Pepper 2.9 and QiSDK

Later Pepper development is centred around Android applications and QiSDK.

Developers can use Android Studio to build robot applications that interact with Pepper’s speech, movement, perception and other robot functions.

The development workflow includes:

• Android application development.
• QiSDK APIs.
• Robot emulation.
• Connection to physical Pepper robots.
• Conversation behaviour.
• Animations.
• Tablet interfaces.
• Robot focus and activity management.

Legacy Pepper 2.5

Older Pepper installations can use the earlier NAOqi environment with Python SDKs and Choregraphe.

That ecosystem remains relevant because many Pepper robots in universities, laboratories and secondary markets are older units.

But an old tutorial on the internet may not apply to the Pepper you are buying.

The first developer question should be the software version

Before planning an application, obtain:

• Robot generation.
• NAOqi version.
• Tablet model.
• Android version.
• SDK version.
• Developer-access permissions.
• Supported programming environment.
• Application deployment process.
• Cloud-service dependencies.
• Update policy.

What Pepper+ changes

SoftBank says the refreshed Pepper+ tablet uses an updated Android environment intended to make application development easier and deployment more flexible.

That is positive for new applications.

It also means organisations with legacy Pepper applications should not assume one-to-one compatibility.

Test the actual application.

Is Pepper a good research platform in 2026?

For research specifically focused on:

• Human-robot interaction.
• Conversation.
• Social robotics.
• Education.
• Embodied interfaces.
• User behaviour around robots.

Pepper remains relevant.

For research focused on:

• Bipedal locomotion.
• Whole-body control.
• Physical manipulation.
• Vision-language-action models.
• Industrial humanoid work.

a newer humanoid platform is usually more appropriate.

Pepper Battery Life, Charging and Duty Cycle

SoftBank publishes a 30 Ah / 795 Wh lithium-ion battery for Pepper and states an operating time of up to more than 12 hours for supported configurations.

That is significantly longer than the nominal endurance of many current bipedal humanoids.

The reason is simple: Pepper does not continuously balance a heavy body on two powered legs.

Does 12 hours mean 12 productive hours?

Not necessarily.

Real operating time depends on:

• Amount of movement.
• Screen use.
• Application workload.
• Network communication.
• Audio output.
• Battery age.
• Standby periods.
• Installed peripherals.

For an older used Pepper, battery condition may matter more than the original published specification.

Plan the operating day

For a business deployment, define:

• Opening time.
• Expected interaction periods.
• Charging location.
• Who checks the robot each morning.
• What happens if battery level becomes low during an interaction.
• Whether Pepper returns to a charging location automatically under the selected solution.
• Who handles faults.

Do not assume that “12-hour battery” means completely unattended 12-hour service.

Pepper Safety and Operating Limitations

Pepper is less physically aggressive than a fast full-size biped, but it is still a 29 kg moving machine.

A deployment should follow the operating environment defined by the manufacturer.

Floor requirements

Pepper should operate on:

• Hard flooring.
• Flat flooring.
• Dry flooring.
• Indoor flooring.

Avoid soft or thick carpet, steps and uneven surfaces.

Space requirements

SoftBank recommends a radius of approximately 90 cm of clear space around the robot during operation.

This has practical consequences for:

• Retail displays.
• Exhibition booths.
• Narrow corridors.
• Reception desks.
• Busy event spaces.

A theoretically large room can still be unsuitable if customers continuously enter Pepper’s operating zone.

Indoor only

Pepper is intended for indoor operation.

Do not plan outdoor greeting, outdoor delivery, rain exposure or unprotected terrace use.

Lighting matters

Strong direct light and sunlight can interfere with the intended operating environment.

That matters especially when the application depends on vision.

Emergency and supervision

Staff should know:

• How to stop the robot.
• How to move it safely.
• What to do after an error.
• How to isolate a damaged robot.
• Who is allowed to restart it.

Privacy may be a bigger risk than physical safety

Pepper can include cameras, microphones, face-related processing, conversational AI and interaction logging.

For a modern business deployment, review:

• What images are processed.
• Whether images are stored.
• What audio is transmitted.
• Which AI service receives dialogue.
• Where information is processed.
• Retention periods.
• Consent requirements.
• Whether facial recognition is enabled.
• Who can access interaction logs.
• How customers are informed.

The more intelligent Pepper becomes, the more important this review becomes.

What Real Pepper Deployments Show

Pepper has an advantage that many newer humanoids do not: a long history of actual public deployment.

That evidence should still be interpreted carefully.

Manufacturer case studies can show what is possible, but they are not controlled independent trials.

What the deployment history supports

The evidence is strongest for the proposition that Pepper can:

• Get attention.
• Encourage people to initiate interaction.
• Make information delivery more memorable.
• Support repetitive structured conversations.
• Create a distinctive event presence.
• Support education and programming activities.
• Handle the first stage of some customer-service interactions.

What the evidence does not prove

It does not prove that Pepper:

• Generates positive ROI in every store.
• Can replace experienced sales staff.
• Can handle every customer question.
• Can operate completely unattended.
• Will continue attracting attention after novelty disappears.
• Can physically automate the surrounding workflow.

The strongest Pepper deployments give it a narrow, measurable job.

Best Uses for the Pepper Robot

1. Retail customer engagement

Best commercial use case.

Pepper can greet shoppers, explain campaigns, ask questions, present products and hand qualified interactions to human staff.

Pepper+ makes this use case more compelling by improving the conversational layer.

2. Promotions and product launches

Pepper is difficult to ignore.

For stores, shopping centres, brand activations and product launches, that visibility can be more valuable than sophisticated physical autonomy.

3. Events and exhibitions

A booth can use Pepper to:

• Attract traffic.
• Introduce the company.
• Ask qualifying questions.
• Run quizzes.
• Collect responses.
• Direct visitors to staff.

This is a better-defined use case than simply placing Pepper on a stand as decoration.

4. Reception

Pepper can support structured front-desk tasks such as:

• Greeting.
• Visitor information.
• Directions.
• Basic registration workflows.
• Connecting visitors with staff.

It is best used as a front-end interface, not as a complete replacement for complex reception work.

5. Education

Pepper can make programming, robotics, AI and human-robot interaction tangible.

Students immediately see the result of software through:

• Speech.
• Gestures.
• Movement.
• Screen output.
• Human reaction.

For modern locomotion or manipulation research, however, a newer robot may provide more relevant hardware.

6. Museums and visitor attractions

Pepper’s physical character can make guided information, quizzes and interactive explanations more engaging than a conventional touchscreen.

7. Care-facility activities

Pepper has been used for conversation, recreation, exercise and structured activities.

The robot should be treated as an activity and engagement tool, not a medical device or physical carer.

8. Hospitality

Hotels and venues can use Pepper for greeting, information and entertainment where the workflow is sufficiently structured.

For room delivery, luggage transport or food transport, use a purpose-built delivery robot instead.

9. Human-robot-interaction research

Pepper remains valuable when the research question is about how humans respond to robots.

Its recognisable body, gestures, voice and long history create a useful experimental platform.

When Pepper Is Not the Right Robot

Reject Pepper early when the requirement is fundamentally physical.

• Delivery: use a purpose-built delivery AMR if the real requirement is moving food, parcels or supplies.
• Cleaning: use an autonomous floor-cleaning robot.
• Warehouse transport: use an AMR or AGV.
• Outdoor interaction: Pepper is designed for indoor use.
• Multi-floor movement: Pepper cannot use stairs.
• Uneven floors: the 1.5 cm obstacle limit makes floor conditions critical.
• Manipulation: use a cobot, robot arm or manipulation-focused humanoid.
• Heavy physical work: Pepper has no meaningful material-handling capability.
• Security patrol: use a security robot designed around autonomous navigation and sensing.
• Modern humanoid AI research: choose a current bipedal development platform when locomotion and manipulation matter.
• Pure information kiosk: if physical embodiment creates no measurable value, a screen may be dramatically cheaper.

The last point is the most important.

Pepper must justify why the information interface needs a body.

If the body does not improve attention, trust, engagement, interaction rate or another measurable outcome, Pepper may be unnecessary.

Pepper Alternatives in 2026

Pepper should not automatically be compared only with humanoids.

The correct competitor depends on the task.

Pepper vs NAO

The simplest distinction is:

• Choose Pepper for customer-facing interaction, reception, promotion and larger public engagement.
• Choose NAO for compact robotics education, programming and bipedal research.

Read the full NAO vs Pepper comparison if deciding between the two.

Pepper vs temi

Choose Pepper when the robot’s body and personality are part of the experience.

Choose temi when mobile telepresence and practical autonomous indoor movement matter more than humanoid gestures.

Pepper vs a modern bipedal humanoid

They solve fundamentally different problems.

A current bipedal humanoid is being developed to use human spaces and physically perform work.

Pepper is designed primarily to communicate with the humans already in those spaces.

Do not compare them on the number of joints alone.

Is the Pepper Robot Worth It in 2026?

Yes—when physical presence and human engagement are part of the business case.

Pepper can still be a strong robot for the right application because it is not competing directly with industrial automation.

Its value comes from becoming the visible interface between an organisation and a person.

Where Pepper can create value

• Attracting attention.
• Increasing interaction rates.
• Providing a consistent first conversation.
• Making a promotion memorable.
• Reducing repetitive introductory explanations.
• Collecting structured information.
• Providing entertainment while delivering information.
• Supporting staff rather than replacing them.

Where buyers overestimate Pepper

• Expecting natural unrestricted conversation without configuration.
• Expecting physical work.
• Expecting modern AMR navigation.
• Assuming the robot can work anywhere a person can.
• Assuming an old second-hand Pepper provides the current Pepper+ experience.
• Ignoring software-service dependencies.
• Ignoring local support availability.
• Assuming novelty automatically produces ROI.

A practical value test

Before deploying Pepper, complete this sentence:

We expect Pepper’s physical presence to increase ________ from ________ to ________, and we can measure the result.

Good answers include:

• Booth visitors who stop.
• Customers who begin a conversation.
• Survey completion.
• Event participation.
• Qualified sales conversations.
• Reception interactions completed without staff assistance.

“Pepper will make us look innovative” is much harder to justify financially.

Pepper Robot Buying Checklist

1. Define the interaction. Write down exactly what the visitor or customer should do with Pepper.
2. Define the outcome. Choose a measurable KPI such as interaction rate, leads, survey completions or staff time saved.
3. Confirm the country. Pepper availability, software and support differ by region.
4. Confirm the Pepper version. Do not accept “Pepper robot” as a sufficient specification.
5. Confirm Pepper or Pepper+. Establish which generation and commercial programme is being supplied.
6. Confirm software versions. Request NAOqi, tablet OS and SDK information.
7. Confirm AI services. Identify which conversational or generative-AI applications are included.
8. Review privacy. Understand camera, microphone, face-related and conversational data handling.
9. Inspect the floor. Check thresholds, carpet, steps, ramps and cable covers.
10. Measure the operating area. Allow the required free space around the robot.
11. Check lighting. Avoid unsuitable direct sunlight and strong light conditions.
12. Check connectivity. Confirm Wi-Fi quality in the actual installation position.
13. Define escalation. Decide when Pepper should hand a conversation to a person.
14. Define charging. Establish charging location and operating schedule.
15. Confirm support. Identify who handles software faults, battery problems and mechanical repairs.
16. Confirm spare parts. This is especially important for legacy and used Pepper robots.
17. Test the real application. Do not buy based on a generic Pepper demonstration.
18. Run a pilot. Measure interaction and conversion before scaling to multiple locations.

Pro tip: run the acceptance test in the actual deployment environment. A Pepper demonstration in a quiet showroom does not prove speech recognition, navigation or engagement performance in a noisy store or trade show.

How to Buy or Deploy a Pepper Robot

The correct procurement route depends on location.

In Japan, Pepper+ currently has defined rental and service plans.

In other regions, availability may depend on local distributors, integrators, existing fleets or regional support arrangements.

A useful enquiry should include:

• Country.
• Organisation.
• Industry.
• Intended application.
• Expected number of daily interactions.
• Languages.
• Whether the robot needs to move.
• Floor type.
• Network environment.
• Required AI integration.
• Required business-system integration.
• Deployment duration.
• Number of robots.
• Required support level.

Before signing, request:

• Exact Pepper version.
• Hardware specification.
• Tablet specification.
• Software versions.
• Included applications.
• AI usage limits.
• Cloud-service terms.
• Data-processing details.
• Support SLA.
• Repair location.
• Replacement-robot policy.
• Battery coverage.
• Minimum contract period.
• Cancellation terms.
• Application-development rights.
• End-of-service and migration policy.

Review the Pepper robot at Anton Robots, then use the Find My Robot tool if you are not yet sure whether a social robot, service robot or another automation platform is the correct fit.

What Is New for Pepper in 2026?

1. Pepper+ launched

On 2 February 2026, SoftBank Robotics introduced Pepper+ as the next stage of the Pepper platform in Japan.

This is the most important Pepper development for buyers in years.

2. Generative AI is now part of the official product direction

Pepper is no longer limited conceptually to fixed dialogue trees and pre-programmed responses.

The current offering includes AI applications designed for more flexible customer interaction.

3. The tablet has been refreshed

SoftBank specifically identifies the new tablet and updated Android environment as an important part of Pepper+.

This matters because the tablet is central to both the user experience and application development.

4. Video analytics are becoming part of the interaction loop

Pepper+ can use visual information in supported applications to adapt how it approaches and interacts with customers.

For retailers, this moves Pepper closer to an interactive physical sales interface rather than a robot simply playing scripted content.

5. Existing business services are migrating

Older Japanese Pepper commercial programmes are being consolidated toward Pepper+.

Buyers running an existing fleet should plan migrations before service-end dates rather than waiting until the final months.

6. Pepper received Guinness recognition

In February 2026, Pepper was officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s first mass-produced humanoid service robot.

The recognition is historically significant.

It should not influence a procurement decision by itself.

7. The regional split is becoming clearer

Japan is actively extending the Pepper platform.

Europe is increasingly focused on replacement and migration.

For buyers in 2026, geography is now part of the product specification.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Pepper Robot

What is the Pepper robot?

Pepper is a 1.21 m tall wheeled humanoid service robot designed primarily for communication, customer interaction, education and social robotics.

Who makes Pepper?

Pepper was developed and commercialised through SoftBank Robotics and the Aldebaran robotics heritage. Current ownership, sales and support arrangements differ by region.

Is Pepper discontinued?

Not in the simple sense often reported online. SoftBank Robotics launched Pepper+ in Japan in February 2026 and continues active Pepper programmes there. In Europe, however, organisations with ageing Pepper fleets are increasingly being directed toward successor platforms. Availability is region-specific.

What is Pepper+?

Pepper+ is SoftBank Robotics’ 2026 evolution of Pepper in Japan, combining the familiar social-robot concept with a refreshed tablet, updated Android environment, generative-AI applications and video-analysis capabilities.

How much does Pepper cost?

There is no single worldwide price. In Japan, the Pepper+ customer-service AI plan is currently published from ¥79,800 per month, while care plans start from ¥39,800 per month. Contract and implementation conditions apply.

Can you buy Pepper outright?

Current Japanese offers focus on rental/service models. Other markets and used robots may have different purchasing arrangements. Confirm the commercial model with the regional supplier.

How tall is Pepper?

Approximately 1.21 m.

How much does Pepper weigh?

Approximately 29 kg.

Does Pepper walk?

No. Pepper uses an omnidirectional wheeled base.

Can Pepper climb stairs?

No. It cannot use normal stairs.

How fast does Pepper move?

SoftBank publishes a maximum speed of approximately 2 km/h.

Can Pepper go over thresholds?

Only very small ones. The published maximum step capability is approximately 1.5 cm, so floor transitions should be inspected carefully.

Can Pepper work outdoors?

No. SoftBank specifies indoor operation.

Can Pepper work on carpet?

Suitable flooring depends on the carpet. SoftBank warns against soft flooring and long-pile carpet because it can interfere with movement and stability.

How much space does Pepper need?

SoftBank recommends approximately 90 cm of clear space around the robot during operation.

How long does Pepper’s battery last?

SoftBank publishes up to more than 12 hours for supported Pepper configurations. Actual runtime depends on use and battery condition.

Can Pepper talk?

Yes. Speech interaction is one of its primary functions.

Does Pepper use AI?

Yes. Pepper applications have long used perception and conversational systems, and the 2026 Pepper+ offering explicitly integrates current generative-AI and video-analysis applications.

Can Pepper use ChatGPT or another large language model?

Yes, through appropriate software integration, and Pepper has been demonstrated with modern conversational AI. The exact supported integration depends on software generation, region and service plan.

Can Pepper recognise faces?

Pepper’s camera and software ecosystem can support face-related detection and recognition functions. Organisations should review the specific implementation and privacy requirements before deployment.

Can Pepper recognise emotions?

Supported software can analyse observable facial or behavioural cues, but buyers should not treat this as reliable access to a person’s true emotional state.

Can Pepper pick up objects?

Pepper has articulated hands, but they are primarily designed for expressive interaction rather than practical manipulation. Do not choose Pepper for object-handling tasks.

How much can Pepper carry?

SoftBank does not position Pepper around a meaningful material-handling payload. Use another robot if carrying objects is part of the requirement.

Can Pepper deliver food?

Pepper can interact with restaurant or hospitality guests, but it is not a purpose-built food-delivery robot. A delivery AMR is better suited to physically carrying trays or orders.

Can Pepper work as a receptionist?

Yes. Reception is one of its most suitable applications when the workflow involves greeting, information, simple visitor processes and escalation to staff.

Can Pepper work in retail?

Yes. Retail promotion and customer interaction are among the clearest current Pepper+ use cases.

Can Pepper work in a hospital or care facility?

Pepper has been used in healthcare and care environments for information, interaction and activities. It should not be treated as a medical device unless a specific certified solution states otherwise.

Is Pepper good for schools?

Yes, particularly for programming, AI, social robotics and human-robot-interaction education. Buyers interested primarily in bipedal robotics should also compare NAO and newer humanoid development platforms.

Can you program Pepper?

Yes. Development options depend on the robot generation. Later Pepper systems use Android and QiSDK, while legacy robots can use earlier NAOqi, Python and Choregraphe workflows.

Does Pepper support Python?

Legacy Pepper software generations support Python through the NAOqi ecosystem. Buyers should confirm the exact platform before planning development around Python.

Does Pepper support ROS?

Pepper has been integrated into ROS research and community projects, but it should not be assumed that a current commercial Pepper package includes a maintained official ROS application stack. Confirm the integration required by the project.

Is Pepper autonomous?

Pepper can run autonomous behaviours and supported navigation functions, but it is not a general autonomous worker. Its autonomy is application-specific.

Does Pepper have a camera?

Yes. Pepper includes multiple visual sensors depending on generation, together with microphones and other sensors used for interaction and movement.

Does Pepper have a touchscreen?

Yes. The traditional Pepper platform uses a chest-mounted touchscreen. Pepper+ introduced a refreshed tablet in 2026.

Is Pepper safe around people?

Pepper was designed for human-facing environments, but it is still a moving 29 kg robot and must be operated according to the manufacturer’s safety requirements, floor conditions and clear-space rules.

What is the difference between Pepper and NAO?

Pepper is larger, wheeled and more oriented toward public interaction and customer service. NAO is smaller, bipedal and more strongly associated with education and robotics research. See the NAO vs Pepper comparison for a full breakdown.

Is Pepper a real humanoid robot?

Pepper is officially classified and historically recognised as a humanoid service robot because of its human-like form and interaction design. It does not have humanoid legs; mobility comes from wheels.

Is Pepper worth buying in 2026?

It can be worth deploying when human engagement is the actual requirement and current regional support is available. It is poor value when the task requires physical labour, modern industrial navigation or manipulation.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Pepper Robot?

Shortlist Pepper if the task is to attract, greet, inform, entertain or interact with people—and if you can measure the value created by giving that interaction a physical humanoid presence.

Pepper’s age is not automatically a weakness.

More than a decade of deployment has shown where the concept works and where it does not.

It works best when the robot is the first point of human interaction: approaching customers, starting a conversation, explaining something, running an activity or creating a reason for somebody to stop.

It works poorly when buyers expect the humanoid appearance to translate into human-like physical capability.

Pepper cannot climb stairs.

It is limited to controlled indoor floors.

Its hands are not practical manipulators.

Its movement system is not a replacement for a modern industrial AMR.

The 2026 Pepper+ launch makes the platform more interesting because SoftBank has modernised the area where Pepper has always had the strongest advantage: communication. Generative AI, video analytics and the refreshed tablet can make customer interactions substantially more flexible than earlier scripted deployments.

But Pepper’s commercial position is now highly regional.

A Japanese organisation can evaluate an active Pepper+ product with current published service plans. A European university or company should also evaluate the migration path being promoted for ageing Pepper fleets. Buyers elsewhere need to confirm local availability and support rather than assuming the Japanese programme applies internationally.

The right way to buy Pepper in 2026 is therefore not to ask:

“What can Pepper do?”

Ask:

“What interaction do we need, what business result should that interaction produce, and does Pepper’s physical presence improve that result enough to justify the deployment?”

If the answer is yes, Pepper remains one of the most proven embodied interfaces in service robotics.

If the requirement is physical work, choose a different robot.

View the Pepper robot at Anton Robots or compare it with other customer-service robots and service robots before making a decision.