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Yes, we did it. We got a Sony AIBO. For those of you that have lived in secluded caves for the last 2 years, the Sony AIBO is the world's first commercial entertainment robot. In the shape of a robotic dog, the AIBO has 4 distinct growth phases, and each one will develop a personality of its own (through its on-board memory stick). When they were released (originally as the ERS-110) they were sold within days. Sony then announced they would manufactuer 10,000 of a slightly upgraded version (the ERS-111) - these were sold within 20 minutes of the phone lines opening. Why so quickly? Are they cheap? Hell no. Generation5 forked out $3,400 for ours, although the original retail value was $2,500 (see bottom for additional currencies). So why then? These things are incredible - a 150,000 pixel CCD camera, stereo microphone, IR distance sensor, 18 motors and a cute look, AIBO is currently the epitome of commericial Artificial Intelligence.

Features

Glossary

• AIBO • Robot

To make the robot more pet-like, each AIBO has a personality of its own. You can reinforce and scold the dog according to its actions, and help it develop its own personality. If you want a lazy dog, hit is every time it tries to play - and slowly it will learn not to play. If you want your dog to stay away from something (like my guitars!), hit it when it wanders near them. On the bright side (no more hitting the dog, I promise), if you want the dog to like the pink ball its supplied with, stroke it and pat it when it starts to play with it.

AIBO's actions are potentially unlimited (if you have the Performer Kit), but even without the performer kit, AIBO comes with a huge array of actions. Most of them you won't see while the dog is in newborn or baby phase. All the dog really does is sit around and move its head and back legs around. Slowly, it'll start to sit up more, then take a few attempts at standing up. It will progress from there, and learn more and more actions. It will communicate with you to help you understand what it is feeling - for example, it will wave its paw and shake its head if it doesn't like what you're doing.

AIBO also has two sets of "eyes" - a green pair and a red pair. The green will light up when the AIBO is happy, and the red when it is angry. They both light up if the AIBO gets surprised. With the combination of the body language, vocal noises and eye signals, the AIBO gives you a great sense of how it feels.

Of the the neatest things about AIBO is the tracking algorithm. The AIBO can look at the object and track it - much like MIT's Cog can. The AIBO has successfully tracked the pink ball, my hand, a box, spoon and a few other objects. When the AIBO is a puppy, it really enjoys messing around by tracking things (much like human babies).

Modes

Conclusion

The AIBO is nicely made, and while it is probably not the most robust of things (I'm not going to test...) it will withstand small knocks and falls (it can even right itself if it falls on its side!). As the dog grows, you learn the personality and help shape its personality. This really gives a friendly appeal to Artificial Intelligence and robotics, something the field could use with the increasing anti-publicity it is getting.

In short, if you have the money to buy an AIBO and can get your hands on one (eBay is always a good place to check) - buy it! The AIBO will give your hundreds of hours of fun (indeed you'll need over a hundred to get the maximum from it!), and is currently the best example of commercial Artificial Intelligence available.

	9.5
	Price: US$2,500 UK£1,800 ¥250,000 Liked: Looks great, acts great, is great! Disliked: Price. Website: http://www.aibo.com/