"Pepper's presence relaxed the atmosphere" during the Spring Conference of the Romanian Society of Cardiology, organized between 11-14 May 2022. The Pepper robot participated in the conference together with the BAYER company, which rented it to draw the attention of the participants to its stand.

In this article, we will present to you what was our solution to the challenges faced by BAYER, what reaction the public had to the interaction with Pepper and what results the decision to integrate a social robot in such an event generated.

About the customer

BAYER is a globally present company that has developed its competencies in the field of life sciences, namely medicine and agriculture. The products and services developed by BAYER are innovative and offer solutions to the major challenges of our time for over 150 years.

The company specializes in the pharmaceutical field and makes its presence felt in Romania by participating in numerous major events related to medicine.

On the occasion of the Spring Conference of the Romanian Society of Cardiology, an event organized in Sibiu, between May 11-14, 2022, BAYER held two symposia addressing prevention and safety issues.

Moreover, on the occasion of the 20th National Congress of the Contact Lenses and Ocular Surface Society held in Sinaia on October 5-8, 2022. During this event, Pepper was present at the company's stand.

Challenges faced by the client

For over 120 years, BAYER has researched and developed innovative medicines and new therapeutic approaches that help change people's lives. The use of the latest technological innovations is the basis of the development of the products that BAYER offers.

The Spring Conference of the Romanian Society of Cardiology is a thematic event, where specialists from the medical industry participate in thematic symposia, organized according to the level of experience of the participants, the cases analyzed and in-depth through which the participants familiarize themselves and learn about the unexpected associations of different pathologies.

In the context of the participation of several competitors at the conference, BAYER was looking for a solution to offer the participants a different, original and above all attractive experience. Their goal was to catch the curious eyes of the attendees and convince them to come to the Bayer booth to learn more about the company's activity.

The representatives tell us that the decision to hire Pepper was motivated by "The desire to get in contact with the participants much more easily. Because we are discussing an event that wants to be serious, the approach is more restrained, more protocol. Thus, Pepper comes to cut from these unwritten rules."

Being a perfect opportunity to familiarize its target audience with the company's products, BAYER wanted to maximize the number of participants at its symposia, their attraction to the event stands, while also ensuring that the information presented would be memorable.

Our solution

Pepper, embedded with our robotic solutions custom developed for BAYER, welcomed the booth attendees, provided them with information and put them in a good mood.

The robot provided information in Romanian about the two symposia offered by Bayer, sending the participants details about the speakers, topics covered, the date and time of the event and the location. Each interaction resulted in an invitation to the BAYER stand.

Promotional materials for the promoted symposia, as well as various messages chosen by Bayer, were displayed on the tablet. The entire design of the application on the tablet was customized in accordance with the brand identity, as well as the products promoted during the two Congresses where Pepper represented the company's image.

As functions to entertain the participants of the event, it had implemented the functions of selfie photography and dances to relax the atmosphere of the event. The participants were greeted by Pepper in the hallway, where with a series of interesting information about the promoted products, she encouraged them to visit the BAYER stand. At the same time, the robot hugged the participants and kissed the hands of the ladies and gentlemen it interacted with.

Furthermore, in order to attract the participants to the stand area, Pepper was placed closer to the exit area of the thematic symposium rooms, thus reminding the participants that they are also expected at the stand to be provided with additional information about the company's activity.

Results and feedback from the organizers

With its friendly and original appearance, the stories full of vitality and the communication animated by non-verbal gestures, Pepper immediately captured the attention of those around.

The participants were particularly surprised and delighted to meet a social robot, which increased the number of participants at the BAYER stand.

Pepper's entertainment functions were some of the most appreciated: "If we are talking about children and younger people (up to the age of majority), the dance function creates the most reactions. If we are talking about an adult audience, the human touch function is what impresses, especially the ladies."

The robot communicated in Romanian with the conference participants and caused a natural reaction, namely the participants opened their phones in camera mode to immortalize the special moment with Pepper and right next to him, in selfie mode.

When asked about the atmosphere created by Pepper at the event, company representatives said that "it is often a happy, very positive one. Pepper's presence relaxes the atmosphere. It makes people more communicative, approachable. The conversation with them starts on a positive note, so you manage to get in touch with him much more easily."

The Pepper robot was considered an added value to the conference, which is why Bayer wanted to have Pepper next to it in the XX edition of the National Congress of the Contact Lenses and Ocular Surface Society held in Sinaia on October 5-8, 2022, where it was present at the company's stand.

Conclusions

The Pepper robot is always ready for any challenge and armed with love for people. By deciding to rent Pepper, BAYER increased its visibility at the event, while also managing to offer a unique experience to the participants. Pepper's presence made it easier to interact with the participants, through atmosphere