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Softbank's famous robot Pepper is helping helping enforce social distancing and greeting COVID-19 patients around the worldhttps://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/softbankaposs-famous-robot-pepper-is-helping-helping-enforce-social-distancing-and-greeting-covid-19-patients-around-the-world/slidelist/75761203.cms2020-05-15T19:41:33+05:30

Softbank's famous robot Pepper is helping helping enforce social distancing and greeting COVID-19 patients around the world

Mary MeisenzahlMay 15, 2020, 19:41 IST

Softbank suggests companies use Pepper in the hospitality, healthcare, and retail industries.

The store has signs and floor markings telling customers to stay six feet apart, and one-way aisles, which Pepper helps customers follow.

The robot has information about protective measures people should take, telling them to keep their distance from each other.

Edeka grocery store chain in Germany has also incorporated Pepper into coronavirus safety measures.

Patients stay isolated in their rooms for several weeks, until they are determined to no longer be infectious.

Beyond performing basic tasks at the hotel, Tokyo officials hope that the robots can keep patients from getting too lonely.

"Let's join our hearts and get through this together."

"I pray the spread of the disease is contained as soon as possible."

“I hope you recover as quickly as possible.”

"Please, wear a mask inside."

Pepper has a few phrases that it repeats to guests.

Pepper even wears a face mask of its own, encouraging good health practices.

Robots greeting patients and cleaning high-risk zones cut down on the number of healthcare workers and other essential workers that must come into contact with Covid-19 patients.

Two nurses are on duty around the clock, with a doctor available during the day.

These photos are from the Ryoguku Hotel in Tokyo, which holds about 300 people.

Pepper robots greet Covid-19 patients as they arrive.

Whiz is an autonomous vacuum cleaner using AI technology, also from Softbank.

Cleaning robot Whiz is also part of the effort to keep the hotels safe environments.

Robots like Pepper and sign-in kiosks reduce the number of staff who have to work in the hotel and potentially be infected.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike visited one of the hotels on May 1, and greeted Pepper.

Hotels in Japan are temporarily being used to house coronavirus patients with mild symptoms.

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