Softbank's Pepper robot offered as rental assistant for Japan businesses

When Softbank made its Pepper helper robot available for sale back in June, the device sold out almost immediately

Now, before announcing the availability of additional units to the general public, the company is offering the robot as a rental device, officially putting robots in the same category as other mainstream rental appliances (at least in Japan)

The price for the "Pepper for Biz" service will be 55,000 yen per month, or about $444. (Incidentally, the number four is considered an unlucky number in Japan. Kind of like the number 13 in the U.S. But that's all silly robot apocalypse superstition, right?) Users will be required to sign a three-year contract, which will total about $16,000 in rental charges Read more...