_Incident · Malfunction_

# Pepper robots reported to make mechanical errors, take unplanned breaks, and fail to recognize previously-met people

Canonical ID: `a18f2b73-2c5d-4579-898c-faeb67110955`

- **Occurred:** 2021-06-28
- **Kind:** `malfunction`
- **Status (derived):** active
- **Model:** [Pepper](/models/softbank-pepper.md) (id: `e9fa1266-5049-4c34-b5c3-24eefb74241d`)
- **Company:** [SoftBank Robotics (Pepper)](/companies/pepper-robot.md) (id: `1718d23f-35ab-44d0-977d-130f0a940558`)
- **Category:** [Humanoids](/humanoids)

SoftBank's [Pepper](/models/softbank-pepper.md) robot allegedly kept making mechanical errors, taking unplanned breaks, failing to recognize previously-met people, and breaking down during customer interactions. These reliability issues contributed to weak demand and the eventual halt of production.

## Sources (1)

1. https://incidentdatabase.ai/cite/152/ · 2021-06-28

## Common questions

### What happened in Pepper robots reported to make mechanical errors, take unplanned breaks, and fail to recognize previously-met people?

SoftBank's Pepper robot allegedly kept making mechanical errors, taking unplanned breaks, failing to recognize previously-met people, and breaking down during customer interactions. These reliability issues contributed to weak demand and the eventual halt of production.

### When did this incident occur?

The incident is recorded as occurring on June 28, 2021 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.

### What robot was involved in Pepper robots reported to make mechanical errors, take unplanned breaks, and fail to recognize previously-met people?

Pepper by SoftBank Robotics (Pepper) is the recorded robot involved in this incident.

### Has anyone responded to Pepper robots reported to make mechanical errors, take unplanned breaks, and fail to recognize previously-met people?

No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.

### What is the current status of Pepper robots reported to make mechanical errors, take unplanned breaks, and fail to recognize previously-met people?

This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.


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