Putting the Eye In Robotics

Pepper — showing us navigation like we’ve never known it

Like Darwin’s finches, robots are always evolving. However,
even with the exponentially fast rate at which technology is advancing, when it comes to physical activities, such as taking over your family chores — robot’s aren’t completely there yet (sorry).

When it comes to navigation and perception, Pepper is the Christopher Columbus of Pepper’s kind. To accomplish this task, Pepper is fitted with two 2D cameras and one 3D sensor. A far cry from the cameras you use for Snap Chat, each of these are highly technical and perform a specific function necessary for human-like behavior.

These two identical 2D cameras are located in the forehead and the
mouth. These provide resolution up to 2560x1920 at 1 frame per second (fps) or 640x480 at 30fps. Their function is to capture high-resolution images of Pepper’s environment which allows not only for facial and object recognition, but for the ability to compare and contrast Pepper’s surroundings.

To get even more hi-techy, Pepper comes equipped with an ASUS Xtion 3D sensor that creates depth perception (shown in the image above). Far from color blind, this humanoid robot actually uses color to determine both distance and human gestures. This will help developers make the “person to Pepper” experience more human than ever before.

And if that wasn’t enough, Pepper also comes with infrared and sonar capabilities (think submarine). These sensors are located in the base bumpers Pepper has and helps our robot friend not collide with objects and humans. Altogether Pepper has 6 laser generators and 2 infrared sensors. This combination of cameras and sensors creates a truly unique opportunity for developers.

Pepper, like a small child, is slowly learning to understand the world. All Pepper needs now is a teacher.

Get started through our developer portal today and find out where you can take Pepper tomorrow.