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Nestlé Japan putting robot in stores to sell coffee machines

Pepper the robot was designed to read and respond to human emotions by analyzing a speaker's tone of voice and facial cues.

By Ben Hooper
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TOKYO, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Nestlé Japan announced that a humanoid robot designed to read human emotions will be used to sell Nescafé coffee machines in stores.

The company said Pepper, a robot developed by SoftBank Robotics and Aldebaran Robotics SAS, will make its first appearances at about 20 home appliance stores in Japan in December with an aim to have versions of the robot selling Nescafé Dolce Gusto and Nescafé Gold Blend Barista coffeemakers in 1,000 stores by the end of next year.

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Pepper was designed to read and respond to human emotions by analyzing a speaker's tone of voice and facial cues.

"Pepper will be able to explain Nescafé products and services and engage in conversation with consumers. I hope that this new consumer engagement model will expand across the world as an example of Japanese innovation," Nestlé Japan President and CEO Kohzoh Takaoka said in a news release.

Masayoshi Son, chairman and CEO of SoftBank, said the project is part of his company's aim to expand the usefulness of robots beyond factory tasks.

"The dream to create an advanced consumer experience with Pepper is now coming true. We hope that by providing people the opportunity to interact with a robot whilst shopping, we can help create experiences of wonder and delight for consumers," Son said.

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