The Costa Group has signed an exclusive agreement with ALDEBARAN for the use of “Pepper” robots, said Costa in a statement. The robots will be added onboard AIDA and Costa ships.
Pepper is the world’s first robot that reads main human emotions, according to ALDEBARAN.
“He is ideally suited to help and delight guests on board of cruise ships,” said Costa. “Pepper will improve guest experience and provide help and entertainment onboard.”
“With an emotional robot on board our cruise ships we are once again continuing our tradition of innovation. For us, this is an important step towards a digital future for our brands. I am confident that our guests will love Pepper,” said Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Group.
Pepper has already completed a trial onboard of AIDAstella with flying colors, demonstrating his seaworthiness while engaging with customers and crew.
The first batch of Peppers will join the crew and start helping onboard of AIDAprima and Costa Diadema in spring 2016, guiding guests when they embark and while onboard. They will also be on hand to provide recommendations and tips on restaurants, events and excursions. Of course, all while speaking German, Italian and English.
By the summer of 2016 the rest of the robots will be joining the crew aboard the Costa and AIDA fleet.
Who is Pepper?
Launched in June 2014 in Japan by SoftBank and Aldebaran, Pepper is the first humanoid robot in the world capable of recognizing the main emotions and to take his environment into account and proactively act accordingly.
Pepper is well equipped with features and a high-level interface for communicating with those around him, to move fluidly and analyze expressions and voice tones using the latest advances in voice and emotion recognition.
Pepper by the Numbers:
– Pepper is 120 cm and weighs 28 kg
– 17 joints for graceful movements
– 3 omnidirectional wheels to move with agility
– 1 3D camera for detecting people and their movements and interact with them
– A 10-inch touch screen
