When, in 2010, the University of Tokyo and Japanese prestigeux research centers were interested in the Nao robot from the French company Aldebaran, all hexagonal diplomacy in Japan congratulated himself loudly in front of microphones and cameras. We remember that even during a press conference at the Embassy of France to rent both the French and the technology industry performance as represented Aldebaran. One would think that selling robots to the Japanese, it was like selling ice to Eskimos, however, a French company managed very young there. There was no harm in boasting such a feat, however, because no one will say that it is bad that the Japanese are an interested eye on the expertise and ideas of young shoots of the old continent. But there are less people on the side of state services to speak today when it comes to commenting on the acquisition of 95% (in other words the whole) of the Aldebaran by the telecom giant Softbank mounted capital which is accompanied by the departure of the founder of the firm of robotics, Bruno Maisonnier. It is said to be in his application that he leaves the ship. Some argue, however, that there was tension among SoftBank and him.
“I sell my shares to enable Aldebaran to go further with SoftBank and to allow me to free myself from operational by taking the height. It happens so many basic things in politics, technology, to be integrated into the foundations of robotics of the future I need time to think about it, I have books write and people to meet around the world, “explained in a statement Mr Maisonnier.Aldebaran Robotics has designed with the help of SoftBank Pepper robot that boasts the boss of Softbank, Masayoshi Son at every turn without ever saying that the original designer is French.
Aldebaran has also given birth to a third robot called Romeo “for further research on the care of the elderly or frail.” Mr. Maisonnier will officially advisor to Softbank Robotics and Mr. Son considered his country as a guru telecoms. In the arcane language of Japanese companies, “special adviser” often means to be left man free to do what he wants on condition that he refrain from speak ill of society outside and it gratifies the wages for that, but it has no function. Of transferred patterns often end “special advisers”.
This is a Nippon, Fumihide Tomizawa, current PGD SoftBank Robotics and present in the group since 2000 (after 3 years at the NTT competitor) will prendrela head of Aldebaran. Founded in 2005, the company deemed exemplary among French new shoots, employs 450 people. Headquartered in France, but it also has offices in China, Japan and the United States. Aldebaran is now a subsidiary of a Japanese company. Must be welcomed and consider it a success and an example to follow? If that were the case, French officials export of French industry may deign to answer some questions to explain this success. Net refusal to comment on the grounds that it is “business of private companies,” said hollow sense of failing. After all, there are also five Aldebaran was a private company, which did not prevent diplomats to credit for his early success in Japan. If this is now seen as a failure, do not blame if any Japanese (who have the intelligence to invest in companies with potential), but those who, on the French side fail to protect and keep their jewels or their promising young companies. Why not find Aldebaran French company the size of a SoftBank to help? It is here that there is food for thought. And Aldebaran is only one example of small French companies who willingly throw themselves into the Japanese arm with well filled cash drawers because nobody in France financially supports. They are one of plsu in this case in the field of nanotechnology.
Coincidence or not, the change in the French subsidiary of SoftBank robot Aldebaran vientde intervenes to end the support of his first commercial creature, rabbits Karotz connected and that the first 300 robots Pepper offered to developers in Japan were awarded in a minute on Friday. “The number of orders has exceeded the amount available” at the opening of the sale online at 10:00, “said SoftBank. The price of a single robot is set at 214,000 yen (1,585 euros) each. The applications already developed and partly granting the creature coming new features are to pay extra for 575,000 yen (4,260 euros) in 36 monthly installments. Is also offering an optional guarantee for 380,000 yen (2,820 euros) to be paid in 36 times. The total cost including all options and exceeds 1.16 million yen (8,665 euros). In particular this may seem expensive, but as a development platform for business, it’s nothing compared to the usual cost of a robot and its software platform, says the industry professional. Robot android semi-white with a little over a meter high on wheels, Pepper relies on artificial intelligence remote network. In theory it is able to a conversation with a person taking into account the feelings it expresses, provided that it does not deviate too much from the direction dictated by the robot that is mostly very clever. It also communicates with remote peers through a network of data exchange so that everyone enrich their knowledge and react better and better vis-à-vis humans.
A thousand already Pepper been ordered by the Nestlé group in Japan to become coffee machines-sellers assistants in home appliance retailers. Others play a similar role in some shops of SoftBank. “Pepper is the first robot to truly understand men,” likes to emphasize the founder and head of Softbank, Masayoshi Son, adding that “the children of tomorrow will know from birth communicate with robots.” The next delivery of a batch of Pepper is expected this summer, assured SoftBank which may also book these future specimens for application developers to equip this machine many features.
Only maybe not tomorrow that will Pepper in homes, despite the many advertisements SoftBank which suggest otherwise.