It's the oldest story in the book: Robotic dog turns up on your doorstop looking cute and winsome, learns a few words and tricks, and then gets canceled just as you've gotten to love it.
As part of its ongoing cost-cutting and reorganization effort, Sony has cut its line of robotic Aibo dogs, along with another, more-expensive, humanoid robot called the Qrio, which was never sold as a product.
According to a company representative, more than 150,000 Aibos have been sold since they went on the market in 1999. But the overall company is in the midst of an historic belt-tightening, and the robotics unit didn't make the cut.
"Our core businesses are electronics, games and entertainment, but the focus is going to be on profitability and strategic growth," said Sony spokeswoman Kirstie Pfeifer. "In light of that, we've decided to cancel the Aibo line."
Sony's $2,000 electronic dog had always fallen more in the gee-whiz category than into the realm of viable mainstream consumer product, though it has helped unleash dozens of lower-tech plastic knockoffs, as well as a few big-brand copycats.
On its debut, Aibo was both an early use of Sony technologies such as the Memory Stick and its proprietary embedded operating system, as well as advanced robotics technology from the company's research and development labs.
Over time, the dog became more sophisticated, with the latest version able to speak 1,000 words; react (in theory) appropriately to an owner's commands and motions; keep blogs, complete with pictures taken by cameras behind its eyes; and play music.
The product inspired an online fan base that posted pictures taken by their dogs, which--unsurprisingly, given Aibo's diminutive stature--often tended to be of ankles or table legs.
The demise of Sony's robots do mark a victory of sorts for U.S. robot makers like iRobot. Most U.S. manufacturers years ago decided that little market demand existed for robot companions and instead aimed their research and design efforts at robots that would perform jobs that are mundane, repetitive or too dangerous for humans. Workhorse Technologies, for instance, invented a robot that combs abandoned mine shafts.
"Ever since Rosie from 'The Jetsons,' robots have been the next big thing, but the business case was never there. It is easy to build a robot that is prohibitively expensive," Colin Angle, CEO of iRobot, said in a 2004 interview.
The remaining Aibo robots will continue to be sold at the SonyStyle online store and at other retailers until inventory runs out. Sony will continue to show off the Qrio at shows and other venues, but will not pursue new development.
Pfeifer said the research knowledge gained from the project could find its way into future products but that Aibo and Qrio would not be revived.
The company will provide customer support for the latest version of the Aibo for seven years, Pfeifer added. Which is 49 years in dog years, surely enough to bring those orphaned critters through a comfortable middle age.
CNET News.com's Michael Kanellos contributed to this report.
A couple hundred sounds about right, I might even buy one myself to bug my real dog. But two grand? Sounds grossly inflated for what the thing actually did. I'd be willing to bet it could be made much less expensive.
A couple hundred sounds about right, I might even buy one myself to bug my real dog. But two grand? Sounds grossly inflated for what the thing actually did. I'd be willing to bet it could be made much less expensive.
Memory sticks and the many versions of it. Their propriatory music compression system should go too. I don't know why they insist on being odd man out. Is it pride or arrogence. Well if they don't mind the losses, neither will I. I hope they go bust by 2010.
Memory sticks and the many versions of it. Their propriatory music compression system should go too. I don't know why they insist on being odd man out. Is it pride or arrogence. Well if they don't mind the losses, neither will I. I hope they go bust by 2010.
I think it's funny that people are willing to spend two grand on a robotic dog, when they can get a much more sophisticated version for free---a REAL dog. Are robotic pets really necessary? If anyone really prefers the convenience of a robotic pet to the spontenaity of a real one, that person must be a major geek. And at two grand a pet, a sucker as well.
... and you can out them in a closet for a week or two while you go on a trip. Pet food is no problem. Don't have to take them for a walk. Just think of all you can save by paying $2000.00. ;-)
I think it's funny that people are willing to spend two grand on a robotic dog, when they can get a much more sophisticated version for free---a REAL dog. Are robotic pets really necessary? If anyone really prefers the convenience of a robotic pet to the spontenaity of a real one, that person must be a major geek. And at two grand a pet, a sucker as well.
... and you can out them in a closet for a week or two while you go on a trip. Pet food is no problem. Don't have to take them for a walk. Just think of all you can save by paying $2000.00. ;-)
MIT creates a simulation to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Spacewar. A relic of the early days of minicomputers, it was one of the first computer video games and set the stage for many others, including Asteroids.
With Windows 8 now on a clearer path to release, expect the big device makers to try to crash the raucous Apple party with Microsoft leading the way. And who knows? Microsoft may even steer buyers away from a next-generation 9-inch Kindle Fire.
AstrologyDating.com is a new site that tries to find you your perfect love on the basis of birth date, birth time, and birthplace. But will it tell you the truth? Well, it asks you to pay only per match. So I tried it.
The Web fulminates when it is revealed that executives from VEVO--vehement music industry antipirates--played a pirated stream of an NFL playoff game at a party. VEVO claims it left its Wi-Fi unsupervised. Have we heard that argument before?
Tor's "obfsproxy" technology would make encrypted data look innocuous and let it dodge government censors. That could help citizens in Iran reach blocked sites as antigovernment protests reportedly loom.
iPhones and Angry Birds aside, the arcade endures. Crave pays a visit--and offers up an homage to games and gamers of years past and a tribute to the possibly endangered, but not yet dead, atmosphere of the arcade itself.
$2000.00 ??????????????
No wonder Sony dumped it
$2000.00 ??????????????
No wonder Sony dumped it
And at two grand a pet, a sucker as well.
on a trip. Pet food is no problem. Don't have to take them for a
walk. Just think of all you can save by paying $2000.00. ;-)
And at two grand a pet, a sucker as well.
on a trip. Pet food is no problem. Don't have to take them for a
walk. Just think of all you can save by paying $2000.00. ;-)