Most, however, have failed to gain traction beyond pilot trials that generate a brief media blitz. But the machine is rarely encountered by shoppers today beyond a handful of stores in Asia.īrands have rolled out 'innovation' after 'innovation' as they navigate the so-called retail apocalypse, though few are as adorable as Pepper. A number of stores and brands tried it, including Uniqlo and specialty shops around the world.
The humanoid machine could play music, chat with customers and answer basic questions about products.Īt the time, SoftBank Robotics predicted Pepper would quickly become a fixture of global retail. NEW YORK, United States - In 2014, Pepper, a four-foot-tall robot with opposable thumbs, became a viral sensation after being unveiled by its creator, SoftBank Robotics. As the 2010s come to a close, BoF reflects on how the past decade transformed the fashion industry - and the culture at large.
