The Mineralogical Museum gaio-ORAMA of the School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, welcomes its new member, PEPPER! PEPPER is a humanoid robot of Softbank robotics, which interacts with students/visitors, and answers their questions about the origin, formation, and uses/applications of mineral raw materials, but also about broader geosciences issues.

The provision of PEPPER took place within the educational program RM@SCHOOLS-ESEE, which is related to the education of students of European schools (age range 11-19 years) around topics of mineral raw materials, through the development of educational experimental tools, as well as tools / means of disseminating knowledge/ information (game-based or digital tools), for use at school or in a “non-formal” education site such as University Museums.

Humanoid robots have been used more and more in recent years in the education of students as their anthropomorphic appearance, combined with the advanced movement and speech capabilities, trigger the interest of the student with whom they interact directly and consequently enhance their learning ability.

The humanoid robot PEPPER is the first in a Greek University but also the first among the European Universities and Research Centers that participate in the RM@ SCHOOLS-ESEE program. The further development of specialized software will take place in collaboration with the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the Technical University of Crete.