Enabling a Pepper Robot to provide Automated and Interactive Tours of a\n Robotics Laboratory

Abstract

The Pepper robot has become a widely recognised face for the perceived\npotential of social robots to enter our homes and businesses. However, to date,\ncommercial and research applications of the Pepper have been largely restricted\nto roles in which the robot is able to remain stationary. This restriction is\nthe result of a number of technical limitations, including limited sensing\ncapabilities, and have as a result, reduced the number of roles in which use of\nthe robot can be explored. In this paper, we present our approach to solving\nthese problems, with the intention of opening up new research applications for\nthe robot. To demonstrate the applicability of our approach, we have framed\nthis work within the context of providing interactive tours of an open-plan\nrobotics laboratory.\n