Image: SoftBank Robotics
Google may be ditching their efforts with military robots, but their Android operating system is now powering more friendly, social robots like SoftBank Robotics’ (formerly Aldebaran) Pepper.
Announced by SoftBank at Google’s I/O developer conference today, Pepper will be receiving an Android SDK (software development kit) for developers to build apps upon. The development kit will allow developers to use their existing knowledge of Android to develop apps, more specifically RoboApps, for Pepper. For now, SoftBank is slated to release developer models of Pepper in July, but a beta of the Android SDK is available for developers starting today.
It’s a big move for social robots, allowing seasoned developers to use their skills to push social robots where, someday, they could be viable for home use. And that’s exactly what SoftBank has in mind.
According to Quartz, SoftBank Robotics’ US lead, Steve Carlin, states that the ultimate goal is to have a Pepper in every home. It’s an ambitious goal, but Pepper is halfway there. The hardware powering Pepper is sufficient, but Carlin explains that “it just doesn’t have a litany of software to power it yet.” Focusing on software development is key right now, so it could be a while before Pepper is fetching you dinner.
Pepper is quite popular with businesses, mainly acting as a robotic customer care assistant. In fact, Pepper sold out within minutes after SoftBank made 1,000 units available for purchase. Carlin told Quartz that Pepper will be primarily sold to US businesses later this year. Perhaps next time you upgrade your phone at the local carrier, Pepper could talk you into buying an Android if you don’t already have one.
In addition to the SDK, SoftBank will be launching a developers portal including forums, workshops, and tips for developing Pepper apps. They will also include a virtual testing ground so developers can test out their apps before Pepper does. Carlin explains that Pepper’s motors will burn out from extensive rotation like programming Pepper’s arms to spin for minutes.
I’m excited to see where developers take Pepper. A new suite of apps powered by Android could expand the robot’s capabilities for the better. In the meantime, however, I’ll be refreshing Jibo’s website to see if it arrives before Pepper.
The post Android Now Runs On SoftBank’s Pepper Robot appeared first on Simplebotics.