The best HUMANOID SOCIAL ROBOTS:

1. ASIMO

ASIMO is a humanoid robot created by Honda in 2000. Since then it has been continually developed and has become one of the worlds most advanced social robots.

ASIMO has the ability to recognise moving objects, postures, gestures, understand its environment, and interact with humans.

Unique Features: ASIMO is currently the most physically capable social robot with the ability to walk, run and even use the stairs.

2. PEPPER

Introduced in 2014 Pepper was showcased in Softbank’s mobile stores in Japan and has become introduced in Renault dealerships across France.

Unique Features: Pepper is the world’s first robot that is capable of recognising human emotions. Pepper is social, capable of having conversations with people, giving them directions and even dancing with them

3. WALKER

UBTECH’s Walker robot was revealed at CES 2019 and is due to be released in the next 18 months. Walker is an agile, intelligent, bipedal humanoid robot. Standing at 1.45m tall, the new version of walker is more advanced than ever, it is able to interact with people and even has the ability to walk smoothly and quickly and to grasp and manipulate objects.

Unique Features: Even though it has not been released yet, this robot has the potential to make history. Walker may be the first commercially viable, bipedal robot available to purchase.

4. SAMSUNG BOT RETAIL

Samsung released three robots at CES 2019: Bot Retail, Bot Care and Bot Air. Bot retail is the biggest of the three with a large front display and basic shelving system at the back allowing it to deliver food or other items.

Unique Features: Samsung Bot Retail has the ability to interact with people, make payments using NFC technology and recognise objects using the front facing camera. Therefore, this robot looks like strong competition for SoftBank Robotics’ Pepper and may be seen climbing the rankings very soon.

5. SANBOT

Sanbot is an intelligent, cloud enabled service robot developed by Qihan technology.

Unique Features: Not only does Sanbot have the ability to interact with people, it can present using its front screen and even use its built-in projector to display graphics on a nearby wall, making Sanbot perfect for retail environments.

Slightly smaller than Pepper, but under half the price, Sanbot is one of the leading social robots in the industry right now.

6. NNAO

Originally released in 2008 and having been continually developed for over 10 years, Nao is one of the most iconic robots in the world right now. Used as the standard platform for the robo cup Nao has to be dynamic and agile.

Unique Features: Nao has the ability to interact with people but more significantly is able to work with Autistic children and run exercise sessions in care homes. Nao has a number of varied uses and undertakes valuable work in local communities.

7. ROMEO

Romeo is another robot created by Softbank Robotics, launched in 2009. The Romeo robot was created as a robot companion with the ability to support the elderly and disabled.

Unique Features: Upon Romeo’s release, he will have the ability to improve the wellbeing of people around him. He will be able to help with everyday tasks, assist when people have fallen over, make conversations and play games.