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LG CNS releases an Android SDK for robots. Seriously
LG CNS is a subsidiary of LG Corporation that provides IT services including consulting, systems integration and now… robot software. That’s right, LG CNS has revealed an Android SDK for Pepper, the two-legged robot made by Japan’s Softbank (who also own Sprint).
You probably know Pepper already, but if not, remember that six months ago, Softbank announced plans to open a phone shop entirely staffed by robots. That would be staffed by Peppers. LG is also the sole supplier of the tablets affixed to Pepper’s chest.
Pepper is, in fact, currently in San Francisco preparing for an ‘internship’ that starts on August 11. So if you’re at all curious and are around the Bay Area, head on over to the b8ta retail store to say hello. But before Donald Trump starts telling Americans that Japanese robots are coming to take your jobs, keep in mind Pepper is only Stateside for a week.
But back to the SDK. It will allow Android developers to “build applications to control the movements of Pepper using the Animation Timeline program co-developed by LG CNS and Software Robotics”. Basically, building Android apps for, well, what will one day eventually become a full-blown Android.
Pepper may not be the most convincing Replicant in the neighborhood right now, but getting the support of developers and the world’s most popular mobile OS behind her is a sure-fire way to kickstart that life-like evolution. Now, all we need is living tissue over a metal endoskeleton.
The finished SDK (a beta was made available in May during Google I/O) is available now for Windows and Linux users. If you think you’ve got the skills to make Pepper pay the bills, then you can grab everything you need from the Softbank Robotics website.
How well have you prepared for the robot apocalypse? Think you could take out Pepper when the time comes?
Correction: The article originally stated that LG CNS is a subsidiary of LG Electronics. LG CNS is actually a subsidiary of LG Corporation. Thanks to Sophie Choi for the clarification.