SoftBank Robotics (Pepper)
[ACTIVE]Humanoids · HQ: Paris, France · Est. Aldebaran Robotics in 2005. · 1 model registered · 3 deployments
As of Sep 2026, DEPLOY verifies SoftBank Robotics (Pepper): 1 model, 3 deployments across 3 regions, $100.0M raised, 1 active incident. 1 source back the record.
Ownership
ACTIVE
Capital / Funding
$100M
Headquarters
Paris, France
IP / Patents
Undisclosed
Platform Models
1
Audited Incidents
1
Overview
Pepper is a semi-humanoid robot manufactured by Aldebaran Robotics (formerly SoftBank Robotics Europe, now part of United robotics group), designed to read emotions and interact with humans in retail, banking, hospitality, and healthcare settings. Unveiled in Tokyo in June 2014 by SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son, Pepper was the first commercial robot marketed as having a heart, with approximately 27,000 units produced before manufacturing was paused in 2020-2021 due to weak demand. Aldebaran Robotics was acquired by SoftBank in 2012 for USD 100 million, rebranded as SoftBank Robotics in 2016, sold to United Robotics Group in 2022, and rebranded back to Aldebaran before entering receivership in 2025.
Safety profile within acceptable range for category. Deployment footprint remains limited relative to category peers.
- HUMANOID
Key Facts
Safety & Regulatory Posture
1 incident on record (1 moderate). Most recent: Jun 2021.
Leadership & Founders
Current Program Leadership & Executives
Founder of Aldebaran Robotics
Founder & CEO, SoftBank Group (unveiled Pepper in 2014)
Founder & CEO, United Robotics Group (acquired SoftBank Robotics Europe in 2022)
Founding Team
cofounder · no longer at company · NAO Robot · , SoftBank Robotics · Aldebaran Robotics
Partnerships & Commercial Deployments
Key Recurring Partners
Recent Verified Partnerships
- United Robotics Group acquires SoftBank Robotics EuropeJan 1, 2022
MOST RECENT · United Robotics Group acquires SoftBank Robotics Europe · 2022-01-01 · with United Robotics Group · OPERATING · Foxconn manufactures Pepper robot · 2014-06-05 · with Foxconn (Hon Hai) · OPERATING · SoftBank Group acquires Aldebaran Robotics · 2012-01-01 · with SoftBank Group · OPERATING
Operator Customers & Fleet Integrators
Platform Models
Deployments
Incidents affecting SoftBank Robotics (Pepper)
Sectors & Applications
FAQ
What is SoftBank Robotics (Pepper)?
Pepper is a semi-humanoid robot manufactured by Aldebaran Robotics (formerly SoftBank Robotics Europe, now part of United robotics group), designed to read emotions and interact with humans in retail, banking, hospitality, and healthcare settings. Unveiled in Tokyo in June 2014 by SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son, Pepper was the first commercial robot marketed as having a heart, with approximately 27,000 units produced before manufacturing was paused in 2020-2021 due to weak demand. Aldebaran Robotics was acquired by SoftBank in 2012 for USD 100 million, rebranded as SoftBank Robotics in 2016, sold to United Robotics Group in 2022, and rebranded back to Aldebaran before entering receivership in 2025.
What does SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) make?
SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) has 1 robot model on the DEPLOY registry: Pepper (SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) builds physical robots).
Is SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) publicly traded?
SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) is not an independent public company; it has been acquired, per the DEPLOY registry.
Who competes with SoftBank Robotics (Pepper)?
On the DEPLOY registry, peer companies to SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) building in the same form factors include Unitree Robotics, DLR Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, Dobot, AgiBot.
Who is the CEO of SoftBank Robotics (Pepper)?
Bruno Maisonnier is the founder of SoftBank Robotics (Pepper), per the DEPLOY registry.
How can I invest in SoftBank Robotics (Pepper)?
SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) has no separately traded stock; it has been acquired.
Where is SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) headquartered?
SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) is headquartered in Paris, France.
How much funding has SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) raised?
SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) has raised approximately $100M in disclosed funding on record in the DEPLOY registry.
Who owns SoftBank Robotics (Pepper)?
SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) has been acquired and is no longer independently owned.
Where does SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) operate robots?
SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) operates 3 verified deployments, including at London, Montreal, Tokyo.
How many robots has SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) deployed?
DEPLOY has 3 verified SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) deployments on record at sites including London, Montreal, Tokyo. That is a count of distinct field deployments each backed by sourced evidence, not a manufacturer's claimed unit total; it updates as new sites are verified.
Is SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) a top robotics company?
On DEPLOY's intelligence score, which blends verified deployments, funding, hiring, media, safety, and IP signals, SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) ranks in roughly the top 55% of companies tracked by the registry.
Are there any incidents involving SoftBank Robotics (Pepper)?
1 active incident involving SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) is on the DEPLOY registry. Each is a sourced, append-only record; retracted incidents are suppressed from this view.
Is SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) safe?
SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) has 1 active incident on record in the DEPLOY registry. 1 incident on record (1 moderate). Most recent: Jun 2021. Retracted incidents are excluded from this count.