SoftBank Corp. unveils human-like robots named 'pepper' at the company's news conference in Urayasu
SoftBank Corp. unveils human-like robots named 'pepper' at the company's news conference in Urayasu, east of Tokyo June 5, 2014. Japan's SoftBank Corp said on Thursday it will start selling human-like robots for personal use by February, expanding into a sector seen key to addressing labour shortages in one of the world's fastest ageing societies. The robots, which the mobile phone and Internet conglomerate envisions serving as baby-sitters, nurses, emergency medical workers or even party companions, will sell for 198,000 yen ($1,900) and are capable of learning and expressing emotions, Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son told a news conference. REUTERS/Issei Kato