Enabling a Pepper Robot to provide Automated and Interactive Tours of a Robotics Laboratory

TL;DR

This paper presents a method to enable the Pepper robot to conduct automated, interactive tours of a robotics lab by overcoming technical limitations that restrict its mobility and sensing capabilities.

Contribution

The work introduces a novel approach to enhance Pepper's mobility and interaction abilities, expanding its application scope beyond stationary roles.

Findings

Successfully implemented interactive lab tours with Pepper

Enhanced Pepper's sensing and mobility capabilities

Demonstrated potential for new research applications

Abstract

The Pepper robot has become a widely recognised face for the perceived potential of social robots to enter our homes and businesses. However, to date, commercial and research applications of the Pepper have been largely restricted to roles in which the robot is able to remain stationary. This restriction is the result of a number of technical limitations, including limited sensing capabilities, and have as a result, reduced the number of roles in which use of the robot can be explored. In this paper, we present our approach to solving these problems, with the intention of opening up new research applications for the robot. To demonstrate the applicability of our approach, we have framed this work within the context of providing interactive tours of an open-plan robotics laboratory.