Sony will return to the robotics field with a refreshed version of Aibo, a household robot resembling a dog.
The new version of the dog-robot, originally launched in 1999 and halted in 2006 as part of Sony’s cost-cutting and reorganisation efforts with come with AI and internet connectivity. It is said to be the first of a number of consumer offerings from the company designed to help Sony catch up with AI-powered offerings from the likes of Amazon, Google and Apple.
Sony also plans to base the new Aibo on an open operating system, that’ll allow third party developers to add features to the little dog.
Sony Aibo Robot
The development of AI now coming on by leaps and bounds could mean a fresh start for Aibo – as well as Sony, which will next year have abandoned its robot business for 12 years.
Even with its £2,000 ($2,500) price tag, Aibo was popular among robotics fans and sold out within 20 minutes of going on sale in Japan. There is no word yet on how much the new version will cost.
Sony Aibo Robot
