SoftBank Robotics

SoftBank Robotics (before Aldebaran Robotics) is the French company specializing in development of humanoid robots.

Main projects:

• NAO — the independent programmable android (the research platform)
• Romeo — the humanoid robot for practical tasks and the help to the person
• Pepper — the humanoid robot as for the practical, and research purposes

History

2012: Purchase by Softbank holding

In 2012 Aldebaran faced financial problems. All fund of the company was dissipated production of NAO and Romeo, new investors did not appear. With respect thereto Bruno Meysonye announced sale of a controlling stake. As a result of Aldebaran concluded the bargain about sale with the Japanese telecommunication holding Softbank. 80% of stocks of the company were sold for the total amount of $100 million.

According to the results of the transaction the line-up of the team of Aldebaran, as well as its activity were left without changes. Only the company name on Softbank Robotics exchanged.

2005: Background

Aldebaran Robotics was founded in 2005 in Paris by the engineer Bruno Meysonye who earlier in 2004 began to work on the Nao project. The first structure of the company totaled up to 15 people. It were generally students of technical educational institutions of France.^[1]

Robotics

Notes