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Japanese robots have now figured out how to comfort sad humans

It's finally come to this: humans are relying on robots for emotional support. 

Pepper, Japan's latest robot to join the humanoid ranks, was built by the the telecom giant SoftBank. A $1,650 consumer version, announced in June, comes with cameras, sensors, and accelerometers that can track human emotion (to a point) and even allow Pepper to produce its own "emotions", the creators say.

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And, if the marketing materials are to be believed, it can even make you feel better when you're sad. 

A month after the public release to consumers, SoftBank has now set an October launch date for its "Pepper for Biz" model, which will offer a variety of services to the businesses who rent it out:  greeting visitors, reciting programmable phrases, assisting customers, conducting product demos, and interacting with people on a personal level. SoftBank can then use the emotional information as part of future marketing efforts.

pepper robot
Yuya Shino/Reuters

In 2014, when SoftBank debuted Pepper at its Japanese headquarters, the company said it envisioned Pepper entering all different fields, from high-stakes jobs like nursing and babysitting to more menial roles as party guest.

Beginning October 1, businesses will be able to rent Pepper for $16,000. After the three-year contract expires, they give the robot back to the manufacturer.

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If all goes according to plan, however, people might never want to give Pepper back.

Japan Artificial Intelligence Softbank
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