Aldebaran / Maxtronics (maxtronics.com) SoftBank NAO
by SoftBank Robotics · January 2008
SoftBank NAO is one of the most widely used educational humanoid robots in the world, found in over 70 countries and thousands of schools and universities. Its 25 degrees of freedom, multi-language support, and open SDK make it the standard platform for humanoid robotics education.
Capabilities
Specifications
Physical
Performance
Power & Battery
Sensing & Perception
Computing & AI
Connectivity
Safety & Environment
Control
Pricing and Availability
This robot is currently available for purchase from the manufacturer or authorized retailers.
Price last verified: March 2026
AI, Data & Privacy
Mixed - some data on-device, some in cloud
This robot uses a hybrid approach where some data is processed locally on the device and some is sent to cloud servers. The level of EU data protection depends on what data stays local versus what is transmitted. Sensitive data like camera feeds may be processed on-device while usage analytics go to the cloud. Review the manufacturer's privacy policy for specifics on what data goes where.
How to keep it private
Core robotics functions (walking, gestures, speech synthesis, face and object recognition) run on-device via NAOqi OS on Intel Atom processor. Cloud connectivity is optional and primarily used for enhanced NLP and remote monitoring. The robot operates autonomously on local network or fully offline.
Available privacy controls
Disable Autonomous Life mode to stop proactive engagement and sensor scanning behaviors
Diagnostic reporting can be disabled to prevent data collection by SoftBank servers
Operate fully offline by disconnecting from Wi-Fi and Ethernet
SoftBank processes personal data in accordance with GDPR. Users can request data deletion under applicable regulations
NAO can run entirely offline for education and research use cases. Disconnect from the network and disable diagnostic reporting for maximum privacy. Change the default SSH credentials, as security researchers identified unencrypted communication protocols in the NAOqi framework. Be aware that Aldebaran was acquired by Maxvision Technology Corp. in 2025, which may change data handling practices going forward.
What this means for EU residents
SoftBank Robotics processes personal data in accordance with GDPR and applicable EU regulations. On-device processing via Intel Atom for core robotics functions. Cloud connectivity optional for enhanced features.
What the AI can do 7 capabilities
Security features 2 features
- gdpr-compliant-data-processing
- product-security-commitment
Configurability details Full SDK
Choreographe visual programming environment, Python and C++ SDKs, voice command programming. Used in over 70 countries for education and research. Per-joint stiffness control for safety. Note: Aldebaran acquired by Maxvision Technology Corp. in July 2025.
Research notice
The information above is compiled from manufacturer documentation, published privacy policies, independent security research, and community findings as of the dates listed in our sources. AI capabilities, privacy features, and data handling practices may change with firmware updates or policy revisions. We make every effort to be accurate, but errors are possible. Always do your own research before purchasing. Check the manufacturer's latest privacy policy and terms of service directly for the most current information.
Sources
All information on this page is based on the following sources. Links open in a new tab.
- SoftBank Robotics NAO Page - accessed 2026-03-01
- SoftBank Robotics GDPR Privacy Policy - accessed 2026-03-29
- Aldebaran Developer Portal - accessed 2026-03-29