The next couple of weeks will be busy for Renault. The French company is preparing for the premiere of the facelifted Captur and an 'EV surprise', which will be exhibited at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show alongside the European versions of the Koleos and Alaskan. Meanwhile, Renault’s Formula 1 team is testing its new race car in Barcelona.
And as if all that wasn't enough, the manufacturer is also launching an innovative approach to customer care in dealers. Using robots.
In France, starting from March 16, Renault will use more than a hundred Pepper robots to meet customers at official dealerships all over the country. The “innovative technological experience” will be running through to November and, in support the automaker is beginning a communications campaign, with Pepper starring alongside Renault French Touch ambassador Nicolas Carpentier. Through a special site, customers will be able to book personal appointments with Pepper at a dealership of their choice.
“With Pepper, we’re offering customers a unique dealership experience,” Valérie Candeiller, Renault France advertising director, commented. “This friendly little robot is a great ambassador of successful French Tech, and it fits in very neatly with the Renault French Touch approach that shines through in our totally up-to-date range of vehicles.”
The Pepper is developed by SoftBank Robotics, a “frontline world player in robotics” and a company employing a workforce of more than 500 people at offices in Paris, Tokyo, San Francisco, Boston, and Shanghai. Judging by the images, the robot will be able to move, talk and, probably, express some kind of reactions. Happy shopping, French friends.
Source: Renault
Gallery: Renault Pepper robot
- From 16 March, the Renault dealer network in France will be bringing in around 120 Pepper robots, from SoftBank Robotics.
- Pepper will be meeting customers at Renault dealerships throughout 2017.
- Customers can book personal appointments with Pepper on the www.rencontrezpepper.renault.fr website.
Renault and SoftBank Robotics are teaming up to offer visitors to Renault dealerships an innovative technological experience. Starting with the Open Day operations from 16 to 20 March, and running through to November, there’ll be more than a hundred Pepper robots meeting customers at Renault dealerships all over France. And customers can book personal appointments with Pepper at the dealerships of their choice on the site www.rencontrezpepper.renault.fr website from the end of February.
For Valérie Candeiller, Renault France advertising director, “with Pepper we’re offering customers a unique dealership experience. This friendly little robot is a great ambassador of successful French Tech, and it fits in very neatly with the Renault French Touch approach that shines through in our totally up-to-date range of vehicles”.
Renault’s partnership with SoftBank Robotics will be backed by a communications campaign starting on 1 March, with Pepper starring alongside Renault French Touch ambassador Nicolas Carpentier.
For Nicolas Boudot, sales and marketing director of SoftBank Robotics Europe, “we’re delighted to see our Pepper robot selected alongside Renault’s other illustrious French Touch representatives. By having Pepper meet customers at the Renault dealerships we’re offering an innovative and moving experience that engages customers with the Renault brand and its new vehicles”.
About SoftBank Robotics
SoftBank Robotics is a frontline world player in robotics, fielding a workforce of more than 500 at offices in Paris, Tokyo, San Francisco, Boston and Shanghai. Its NAO, Pepper and Romeo robots are used in more than 70 countries, across a broad spectrum of functions encompassing retail, tourism, healthcare, research, education and entertainment.
www.ald.softbankrobotics.com