QUIRKY WORLD ... Billionaire reveals robot’s softer side

TECH FIRM UNVEILS ‘EMOTIONAL’ ROBOT

Son’s mobile phone company Softbank said the robot it has dubbed Pepper will go on sale in Japan in February for 198,000 yen (€1,420).

The machine, which has no legs, but has gently gesticulating hands appeared on a stage in a Tokyo suburb, cooing and humming. It dramatically touched hands with Son in a Genesis or E.T. moment.