Robots as a service: The Pepper example

Softbank's Pepper brings the march of the robots closer to reality with a big step forward. But it also highlights the long road ahead. The popular robot – Softbank sold than 7000 units in 7 months in Japan during 2015 – is arguably the world's leading example of the consumerisation of robotics in action today and should be on any business and IT leader's list of emerging tech to evaluate. Even if Pepper isn't the most advanced in terms of technology, and it isn't by a long stretch, it is supported by the most progressive, ecosystem-based business model. And this latter factor is probably more important to Pepper's future success.