A Belgian hospital has just welcomed its newest staff member: Pepper, a humanoid robot that speaks 19 languages.
Developed to improve social and health care by the Belgian company Zora Bots, Pepper joined the medical team as a receptionist at Ostend hospital AZ Damiaan.
Pepper will introduce visitors to the hospital, provide information and guide visitors and patients to the correct floor and room.
With a speed of just 3 km/h (1.8 mph), Pepper is also able to guide slower patients. Fully charged, it can work for up to 20 hours on its own.
“The robot itself is a meter 20 high, so it is not like Arnold Schwarzenegger with a leather jacket and an ‘I will be back’ robot,” said Zora Bots’ co-chief executive, Fabrice Goffin. “It is a quite nice robot and the reactions are positive for the moment.”
During the first week, Pepper was mainly used on the hospital’s maternity department. – READ MORE
