Pepper vs Temi
Last reviewed: 2026-08-31
In short: choose Pepper if you want impact and human interaction — it's a 120 cm social humanoid robot with expressive arms and gestures, speaks 20 languages, detects the speaker's language and has a tablet; ideal for high-impact reception, retail, events and brand image. Choose Temi if you need autonomous navigation and telepresence — it's a 100 cm wheeled robot (12 kg) with 3D mapping, obstacle avoidance, user tracking and an Alexa voice assistant; ideal for autonomous guiding/delivery through spaces, remote connection and a hands-free personal assistant. Pepper = human engagement; Temi = autonomous mobility.
Who each is for
Pepper
- ✓High-impact reception, retail, events, brand activations
- ✓Expressive humanoid interaction (arms, gestures, 20 languages)
- ✓Entertainment and customer-data collection
- ✓Innovative brand image, the "wow" effect
Temi
- ✓Autonomous guiding and delivery through spaces (offices, clinics)
- ✓Telepresence — remote video connection, hands-free
- ✓Personal voice assistant (Alexa) and user tracking
- ✓Robust autonomous navigation (3D mapping, obstacle avoidance)
The differences that matter
| Pepper | Temi | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Social humanoid robot (with arms) | Wheeled robot (telepresence/assistant) |
| Height | 120 cm | 100 cm |
| Weight | ≈ 28 kg | 12 kg |
| Expressive arms & gestures | Yes | No |
| Conversation languages | 20 | via Alexa / cloud services |
| Touch & presence sensors | Yes | — |
| Built-in voice assistant | — | Alexa |
| Autonomous navigation | Limited | Advanced — ROBOX (3D mapping, obstacle avoidance, route planning) |
| User tracking (follow-me) | — | Yes |
| Battery life | — | ≈ 8 h + autonomous docking |
Compared specifications
Form & build
| Pepper | Temi | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Social humanoid robot (with arms) | Wheeled robot (telepresence/assistant) |
| Height | 120 cm | 100 cm |
| Weight | ≈ 28 kg | 12 kg |
| Expressive arms & gestures | Yes | No |
| Screen (tablet) | Yes (on chest) | Yes (on stalk) |
Interaction
| Pepper | Temi | |
|---|---|---|
| Conversation languages | 20 | via Alexa / cloud services |
| Speech recognition | Yes (detects the speaker's language) | Yes (ASR / NLP / TTS) |
| Touch & presence sensors | Yes | — |
| Built-in voice assistant | — | Alexa |
Mobility & navigation
| Pepper | Temi | |
|---|---|---|
| Drive base | Wheels (omnidirectional) | Wheels (2× 50W motors, zero turning radius) |
| Autonomous navigation | Limited | Advanced — ROBOX (3D mapping, obstacle avoidance, route planning) |
| User tracking (follow-me) | — | Yes |
Power & manufacturer
| Pepper | Temi | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | — | ≈ 8 h + autonomous docking |
| Manufacturer | Aldebaran / SoftBank Robotics | Temi (Robotemi) |
Both robots have a tablet, speakers and voice interaction — the main difference is expressive humanoid (Pepper) vs autonomous navigation (Temi).
Frequently asked questions
Which robot for a reception desk?
It depends on the goal. For impact and humanoid interaction (greeting, engagement, brand image) — Pepper. For autonomously guiding visitors through the building and telepresence — Temi.
Do both have arms?
No. Pepper is a humanoid with expressive arms and gestures. Temi is a wheeled robot, without arms, focused on navigation and telepresence.
Which has better autonomous navigation?
Temi — its ROBOX system does 3D mapping, obstacle avoidance, route planning and user tracking. Pepper has simpler mobility.
Do they have a public price?
No — both are quote-based. IRIS Robotics is the official distributor for Pepper and Temi in Romania and provides pricing, configuration, software integration, training and support.
Can they be customised for my brand?
Yes. We build custom software (dialogues, presentations, system integration), personalise the content and, for Pepper, even the clothing, to fit your needs.
Sources
Not sure which robot fits you?
Tell us where you'll use it (reception, retail, guiding, telepresence) and we'll recommend the right robot, with software integration and training.
Request consulting