PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
Nestlé has employed a fleet of Android robots to sell its coffee machines in Japanese stores, replacing George Clooney.
The US actor has become the global face of the brand, however, Pepper the Android robot will now be responsible for marketing the Nespresso brand.
The campaign will see 1,000 stores across Japan have their own Pepper robot, which its makers claim can answer customer’s questions.
Aldebaran, who developed the technology for Pepper also say that the robot can understand 80 per cent of conversations.
The robot is 120cm tall, has a human-like face and a white plastic body, with a tablet attached to its chest.
A joint statement from Nestlé and Softbank read: “[The robots will] help us discover consumer needs through conversations between our customers and Pepper.”
Pepper was first unveiled in June by Softbank and will also go on sale to the public in February next year for 198,000 yen (£1,060).
PCR also mentioned Pepper in a previous feature about what the classroom of the future will look like.
