A squad of robot cheerleaders is seen in this photo provided by Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.

       FUKUOKA -- Guinness World Records has certified 100 humanoid robots at Fukuoka PayPay Dome -- the home stadium of the professional baseball team Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks -- in this southwest Japan city as the "largest robot cheerleading squad" in the world.

       SoftBank Group's 100 humanoid robots, each named "Pepper," are currently set in the outfield stands of the stadium in Fukuoka's Chuo Ward.

       A certificate recognizing the achievement was presented by a Guinness World Records' official during a ceremony held before the game against the Chiba Lotte Marines on Sept. 16.

       The Pepper squad was introduced in 2020 with five robots to boost the mood in the stadium's stands as the baseball season opened without spectators due to the spread of coronavirus infections. The number of robots was gradually increased to 100 when the current season opened. The humanoids entertain fans by dancing to music, among other actions.

       Commenting on the recognition by Guinness World Records, Pepper issued an enthusiastic statement through the team: "We'd like to support the Hawks as the world's largest robot cheerleading squad."

       (Japanese original by Keitaro Kurosawa, Kyushu Sports News Group)

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