🇯🇵 SoftBank Robotics

About SoftBank Robotics

SoftBank Robotics was founded in 2012 as a subsidiary of SoftBank Group, the Japanese technology conglomerate. The company achieved global recognition through two iconic products: NAO, a small programmable humanoid that became the dominant platform in educational and research robotics worldwide, and Pepper, a larger social robot designed for customer interaction in retail and hospitality environments.

NAO has been deployed in thousands of universities and research institutions globally, supported by an extensive SDK and a large community of developers and researchers. Its longevity as a platform, spanning well over a decade of continuous production, reflects genuine utility and a strong ecosystem. Pepper, after a high-profile commercial push in the mid-2010s, was discontinued for general sale in 2021 as the expected adoption in retail and customer service did not materialise at scale.

SoftBank Robotics maintains its European headquarters in Paris, and the company has pivoted toward cleaning and logistics automation, launching the Whiz commercial cleaning robot developed in partnership with Brain Corp, and acquiring distribution rights for several service robot platforms.

Key Products

• NAO: 58 cm programmable humanoid; the world's most widely deployed educational and research robot platform.
• Pepper: 1.2 m social robot for customer interaction (discontinued for general sale in 2021).
• Whiz: Autonomous commercial cleaning robot for office and retail environments.

UK Market Presence

SoftBank Robotics has a strong UK presence with an authorised distributor network. NAO units are available new at approximately £7,000 to £9,000. Whiz is available through cleaning and facilities management channels. UK educational institutions and research labs represent NAO's core customer base domestically.

Buying Used SoftBank Robotics Equipment

NAO is one of the most frequently traded secondhand research robots in the UK. Used NAO units in good condition trade between £1,500 and £4,500 depending on generation and condition. Battery replacement is the most common maintenance requirement. Software support through the Aldebaran/SoftBank SDK remains active for current NAO generations. Pepper units are available secondhand at significantly reduced prices (£2,000 to £5,000), but buyers should note that official software support has wound down.