---
title: "Emotion Recognizing Robot Pepper Goes on Sale in Japan"
description: "SoftBank, the company behind the robot, is planning to release 1,000 robots every month."
date: "2015-06-19"
modified: "2015-08-13"
authors:
  - name: "Alex Klokus"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/alex-klokus"
url: "https://futurism.com/emotion-recognizing-robot-pepper-goes-on-sale-in-japan"
categories:
  - "Robotics"
  - "Robots and Machines"
tags:
  - "robotics"
---

# Emotion Recognizing Robot Pepper Goes on Sale in Japan

![Default Futurism featured image](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Futurism-Filler-Image.jpg>)

- Pepper will sell for 198,000 yen (£1,000), and businesses will be able to rent it for 1,500 yen an hour. Although the upfront price is relatively cheap for a sophisticated robot - SoftBank is actually selling it at below manufacturing costs - customers will also have to pay monthly service fees of up to 24,000 yen and sign up to a three-year contract.
- There will be 100 apps available for download at launch. The robots will be manufactured by FoxConn. Chinese online retailer Alibaba is also partnering. Both are investing $118m in SoftBank's robotic division and will take 20% shares in the company.
- Featuring more than 20 motors and highly articulated arms, Pepper is being touted as a household robot, assisting elderly people or for use in a family.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexklokus>)