Softbank's emotional robot set to hit nation's market ahead of global release

Technology company Softbank's robot, Pepper, is going on sale in Japan on Saturday, equipped with a "heart" designed to not only recognize human emotions but react with simulations of anger, joy and irritation.

The robot, which has no legs and moves on wheels, was shown to reporters and guests at a Tokyo area theater on Thursday. It has a hairless head and moving arms, and it went through a year of software development after first being announced.

It glided on to the stage, conversed with celebrity guests, did a dance, sang a birthday song and demonstrated how it could record family life in photos, and serve as a companion. It appeared to respond with joy when it was praised or stroked.