Even a decade ago, the thought that someday we might have robots living among us was one consigned to science fiction. Yet now, it’s becoming a reality. Softbank Robotics created the retail robot Pepper in 2015 and the company is working on its ambition of integrating her into the staff of brick and mortar stores. Last November, Pepper was introduced into two malls in California — and this is only the beginning.
Meanwhile, Amazon is cutting costs by steadily reducing its human workforce and replacing them with robots. A recent unveiling of a demo two story supermarket with only six human staff members has excited and scared society in equal measure.
