advertisement
#1 Pepper, a robot capable of detecting human emotions, sold out in under a minute.
#2 As Japanese consumers raced to be one of the first to own the "robot with a heart".
advertisement
#3 Softbank, which developed the humanoid machine and announced it last year.
#4 Said it had sold the first batch of 1,000 robots online in the first 60 seconds they were on sale.
advertisement
#5 Pepper, which costs 198,000 yen (about $1600) plus monthly service and insurance fees.
advertisement
#6 ...Is capable of recognizing feelings such as anger, joy and sadness.
advertisement
#7 Including the other fees, the cost of owning one is around 1.2m yen ($6700) over three years.
advertisement
#8 It then reacts accordingly, providing companionship for those who do not have it, or are simply curious about the latest robotic developments.
advertisement
#9 The robot has been designed to help address Japan's rapidly ageing population.
advertisement
#10 The median age in the country is 46 - one of the world's highest - and its birth rate has slumped to a record low.
advertisement
#11 “Our vision is to offer a robot with love,” Softbank chief executive Masayoshi Son said
advertisement
#12 Pepper, which is four foot high...
#13 ...Can dance to music, bow in respect and move its arms in a convincing interpretation of human movement
advertisement
#14 Softbank, which plans to release Pepper in other countries later this year, will put 1,000 units a month on sale...
#15 It has big plans for the robot, but says it will not make a profit on it for years
