🇯🇵 SoftBank Robotics / Aldebaran
Aldebaran Robotics, founded in Paris in 2005, created the NAO (2008) and Pepper (2014) social humanoid robots. SoftBank acquired Aldebaran for ~$100M in 2012-2013, rebranding it SoftBank Robotics. After commercial struggles, Aldebaran filed for bankruptcy in February 2025; Shenzhen-based Maxvision Technology acquired the Pepper and NAO IP in July 2025. SoftBank Robotics announced an AI-updated Pepper+ in February 2026.
Humanoid robots by SoftBank Robotics / Aldebaran
3 · scored byHMX
SoftBank Robotics / Aldebaran in 2026: lineup, ranking and funding
SoftBank Robotics / Aldebaran has 3 humanoid robots in the index, 3 of the 156 tracked. Its highest-scoring, Pepper, ranks 75th of 156 on the HMX at 50.6. Its models range from 45.7 (Pepper+) to 50.6.
Pepper stands out most on commercial readiness & deployment: 100.0 against a median of 67.0 across all 156 humanoid robots.
Of its 3 models, 2 are shipping to customers (2 commercially available); the rest are 1 in a paid pilot deployment.
2 of its models publish a price, from $9,000 (NAO) to $25,000 (Pepper).
SoftBank Robotics / Aldebaran has disclosed $100m in funding, the 29th-highest of the 48 companies here that disclose it.
Frequently asked questions about SoftBank Robotics / Aldebaran
What robots does SoftBank Robotics / Aldebaran make?
SoftBank Robotics / Aldebaran has 3 models in this index: Pepper (HMX 50.6), NAO (HMX 46.7) and Pepper+ (HMX 45.7).
What is SoftBank Robotics / Aldebaran's best robot?
On the Humanoid Metric, Pepper scores highest of SoftBank Robotics / Aldebaran's models at 50.6 out of 100, 75th of 156 humanoid robots.
Can you buy the SoftBank Robotics / Aldebaran Pepper?
Yes: Pepper is commercially available, with a published price of $25,000.
Where is SoftBank Robotics / Aldebaran based?
SoftBank Robotics / Aldebaran is based in Paris, France (Aldebaran) / Tokyo, Japan (SoftBank Robotics), and was founded in 2005.
How much funding has SoftBank Robotics / Aldebaran raised?
SoftBank Robotics / Aldebaran has disclosed $100m in funding. Figures are as published and not independently audited.