If you're catching a flight at Oakland airport, take a seat at the Pyramid Taproom in Terminal 2 and let Pepper, the humanoid robot, take care of you.
Pepper— a four-foot-tall robot in all white—can show you the menu, provide food and drink recommendations, and, if you are not satisfied with Pyramid's offerings, suggest other places to dine throughout the airport. Via an interactive map displayed on the screen mounted on its chest Pepper can also help passengers find their gates, the nearest restrooms, the baggage claim, and more.
The charming robot is the brainchild of SoftBank Robotics America, a robotics company with an office in San Francisco. Pepper is equipped with artificial intelligence and facial recognition software top help it understand human feelings and interact with passengers. Thank to its built-in 20 motors, Pepper can gesticulate, move its head and arms, walk towards you, shake your hand, and most importantly, bring you a beer.
Courtesy of SoftBank Rototics America
Pepper isn't the first robot to be hired by a California airport. In October 2016, three Future Robot-made robots — named Norma, Amelia and Piper — joined the team at Mineta San Jose International Airport. Their assignment: to engage and entertain travelers with dancing and selfie opportunities, and help them find the services and amenities inside the airport.
