2. Jake Newberger is an automation validation
engineer with Panacea Technologies, Inc. A
graduate of Pennsylvania State University,
Jacob Newberger began his automation
engineering career with AV Divine in Rockville,
Maryland. Since entering the automation
industry, Jake Newberger has developed a
keen interest in domestic robots.

3. SoftBank Corp. recently made industry waves when they
introduced the world to Pepper, a humanoid robot on
wheels that, according to SoftBank chief executive officer
Masayoshi Son, is capable of learning, evolving, and
perhaps most astonishingly of all, loving. Pepper features
four microphones, two cameras, and a WiFi Internet
connection, in its effort to become a suitable companion
for its owner. Early reports indicate that Pepper will utilize
cloud technology to remember past mistakes and alter its
behavior to better suit its owner's preferences. The four-
foot-tall, 60-pound automaton will be released to the public
in February of 2015 and will be listed at around $2,000.

4. Though not publicly available for some time,
Pepper is already on display in two SoftBank
locations. The in-store robots have not only
been counting the number of shoppers
entering the store, but how many of the
individuals are smiling while doing so.