SoftBank Group has decided to ease out jobs at the global robotics business and also stop the production of its Pepper robot. The company is downgrading its targets in robotics. Pepper's production had been reportedly halted last year and would be costly to restart. Only 27,000 pieces were made. Half of its 330 staff members in France will be lay]id off by September. The number of employees has been halved in the US and Britain while staff in Japan have been redeployed.