Researcher with two Pepper robots and a Nao robot (behind) built by SoftBank Robotics. Nao is an autonomous, programmable humanoid robot whose development began in 2004. Nao robots have been used for research purposes, and as interactive and educational assistants for children in hospital and elderly people in care homes. The Pepper robot was designed with the ability to read emotions and interact with people via its touch screen, and was introduced in 2014. It is in use in research and education, as well as in commercial settings.