SoftBank Is Opening a Café Where Pepper Robots Will Work Alongside Humans

The café opens on December 5 and will serve a selection of waffles and drinks.
Fabienne Lang

Robotics keep advancing at incredible rates, and to say Japan is a top contender in that sphere would be an understatement.

Soon, a café in Shibuya, Tokyo will be graced with working robots. More specifically, SoftBank's Pepper humanoid robot, and it will be working alongside humans in the company's aptly named Pepper Parlor café.

You'll soon be able to see for yourself as the Parlor is due to open on Thursday 5 December.

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Pepper Parlor

The days when robots run a café without any human assistance aren't quite here yet, but the opening of Pepper Parlor is a step in that direction.

SoftBank's Pepper robot will be operating with humans to serve its patrons. The café will serve an array of waffles and drinks. This is a milestone for the company as this will be its first-ever food and beverage outlet.

SoftBank Is Opening a Café Where Pepper Robots Will Work Alongside Humans
Pepper robot. Source: Pepper Parlor

The café will be opening at Tokyu Plaza Shibuya

SoftBank stated that "The aim is to create a space where people can easily experience the coexistence of people and robots and enjoy the evolution of robots and the future of living with robots. We want to make robots not only for convenience and efficiency but also to expand the possibilities of people and bring happiness."

Who is Pepper?

Developed by SoftBank Robotics, Pepper is an emotionally intelligent humanoid robot that can function in unstructured environments.

These environments can be a home, a restaurant, café, or shops. 

SoftBank Is Opening a Café Where Pepper Robots Will Work Alongside Humans
Nao robots will provide the entertainment. Source: Pepper Parlor

Pepper won't be the only robot to be working at the Pepper Parlor, though. 

Nao robots will provide entertainment at specific hours by gently gliding and twirling around a stage. And Whiz robots will be quite literally 'whizzing' around cleaning up the café. 

It'll certainly be worth a visit to experience Pepper and its robotic friends working in Japan. 

SoftBank Is Opening a Café Where Pepper Robots Will Work Alongside Humans
Whiz robots will be at hand to clean up the parlor. Source: Pepper Parlor

It's not the first time Pepper is working alongside humans though, as Pepper already works in some airports, universities, banks, and supermarkets.

Now, let's see how Pepper does when put to the task of taking food and drink order.

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