The latest batch of Softbank's Pepper robot has been sold out just after a minute of going on sale last Saturday. Buyers, however, were required to sign an agreement that states that they could not have sex with the "emotional robot."
According to Telegraph, the company intended Pepper to be a friendly, non-sexual companion. It reportedly prohibits users from using the robot for sexual purposes or reprogramming it to stalk people.
Unfortunately, the publication held that some people have already broken the agreement. It was said that some have already tinkered with the touch screen hanging from the robot's neck to show hanging virtual breasts. The user claimed that he only did it "for the purposes of testing sexual harassment."
Pepper is invented to address Japan's rapidly ageing population by providing a robot that could replicate human emotions. The robot can reportedly mimic human behavior such as empathy and even love. It can even make small talk, dance to music and bow in respect.
Softbank built Pepper to make people happy. Although no robot can replace human interaction, the developers wanted to enhance the lives of those with no companions.
According to Want China Times, a new version will be released soon which would allow the robot to memorize and store data on human responses by using cloud technology-based artificial intelligence applications. Softbank has already started taking pre-orders for the fifth batch set to release on Oct. 31.
The current version of Pepper retails for 198,000 yen ($1,610) in addition to $380 per month in rent.