Pepper Robot

Wireless RERC researcher, John Bricout, PhD, who is the director of the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMN), and Dr. Julienne A. Greer and collaborators at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), Emotional Robotics Living Lab, are investigating the socially assistive capabilities of "Pepper," a versatile 4-foot tall humanoid robot. Pepper can provide social, physical and emotional support for older adults and people with disabilities. Bricout notes "the broad aim of our work is to extend the capabilities and quality of life of older adults and people with disabilities, leveraged by socially assistive robotics as partners in learning and action."