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Gadgets Sony AIBO: RIP 1999-2006
Alan BC Dang (Blog) - January 27, 2006 3:28 AM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 3 comment(s) - last by albion.. on Jan 30 at 6:08 AM

We'll miss you little guy
49 "dog-years" after AIBO invented the robotic companion market, Sony decides to let AIBO join Old Yeller

Reachers at Purdue University and the University of Washington are beginning to show that robotic pets can offer many of the same health advantages as real pets.  For example, after 6 weeks with a Sony AIBO, elderly residents in care homes reported feeling less depressed and less lonely after interacting with robotic dogs.  One 90 year-old participant initially began thinking that the robot's needs would just be batteries.  After 3 weeks, she said added that her AIBO needed attention and physical contact. 

Unfortunately, Sony has announced that they will be ending the AIBO project.  Once the current stock is sold, no further robotic dogs will be manufactured.  Although more than 150,000 of the $2,000 AIBO dogs have been sold since 1999, Sony is terminating the project as they face new challenges in the consumer electronics and electronics entertainment market and need to meet shareholder demands for profitability.  The announcement also means that the Sony QRIO concept robot will no longer be developed.

While Sony turns their attention back to the traditional consumer electronics market of TVs and PlayStations, their departure from the robotic companion market opens up new opportunities for the remaining companies. There's still Honda ASIMO and, according to an article from last month, at least one company is working on including a blood pressure monitor in its robot that could also seek medical attention if it owner stopped interacting with the robot after an extended period of time.

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Qrio
By blackmetalegg on 1/28/2006 10:08:38 AM , Rating: 4
I actually saw them doing a ~15mins long show while I was at Taipei 101 mall last year. There were I think 6 of these QRIO and it was simply amazing to see they move so fluidly. Too bad they won't ever be produced en masse..




Sad, sad day...
By oTAL (blog) on 1/28/2006 9:52:58 AM , Rating: 2
I worked with these little guys in RoboCup and I can say they are awesome. I heavilly dislike Sony's disrespect for their costumers, but this guy made me admire them a little.
And QRIO looked even more stunning... it's a shame to see you go doggy.... :(
*sad sad day.....*




Bye bye doggie
By albion on 1/30/2006 6:08:22 AM , Rating: 2
i own 4 of these dogs from the first one till the last one ( i skipped the robot like one)
I enjoy them aalot but have to admit with time they end up as most toys forgoten.
Still hate to see them go

:-(




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