| Sony Launches Four-Legged Entertainment Robot "AIBO" Creates a New Market for Robot-Based Entertainment |
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| Limited Edition for Sale Exclusively over the Internet |
(Tokyo, Japan) -- Sony Corporation today announced the launch of a four-legged entertainment robot called "AIBO" [ERS-110] and an "AIBO Performer Kit" [ERF-510] motion editor that makes it possible for users to create original movements for "AIBO," the first robot designed for home entertainment purposes. Sony aims to begin building an entirely new market for robot entertainment by making "AIBO" available to residents of Japan and the United States of America in limited quantities while maintaining close contact with the users. All sales will be handled exclusively over the Internet through the following home page.
| Product Description | Orders Accepted |
Products Shipped |
Retail Price (excluding tax) |
Production Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "AIBO" Entertainment Robot [ERS-110], Station, AC Adapter, Li-Ion Battery [ERA-110B] (set of 2), Sound Commander remote control unit, 8MB pre-recorded Memory Stick, colored ball, and other accessories. | June 1, 1999 09:00 JST |
Early July | 250,000 yen in Japan |
3,000 Units for Japan |
| June 1, 1999 09:00 EDT |
Early July | USD$2500 in the USA |
2,000 Units for the USA |
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| "AIBO Performer Kit" Motion Editor [ERF-510], 8MB Memory Stick, Memory Stick PC Adapter Card | June 1, 1999 09:00 JST |
Early July | 50,000 yen in Japan |
- - - - - |
| June 1, 1999 09:00 EDT |
Early July | USD$450 in the USA |
- - - - - |
| "AIBO" Sales Homepage | http://www.aibo.com *this link is no longer active and a revised page does not exist. |
"AIBO" [ERS-110] is an autonomous robot that acts both in response to external stimuli and according to its own judgement. "AIBO" can express various emotions, grow through learning, and communicate with human beings to bring an entirely new form of entertainment into the home.
Not only is "AIBO" capable of four-legged locomotion by virtue of the 3 degrees-of-freedom in each of its legs, but it can also perform other complex movements using its mouth, tail, and head, which have 1, 2, and 3 degrees-of freedom, respectively. "AIBO" incorporates various sensors and autonomous programs that enable it to behave like a living creature, reacting to external stimuli and acting on its own judgement. "AIBO's" capacity for learning and growth is based on state-of-the-art artificial intelligence technology that shapes the robot's behavior and response as a result of repeated communication with the user and interaction with the external environment.
The "AIBO Performer Kit" [ERF-510] includes an easy-to-use motion editor tool that allows users to create original motions for "AIBO". A graphical user interface that makes it simple to create motion programs for "AIBO" on a personal computer.
Main Features of "AIBO" [ERS-110]
1. Autonomous Judgement and Response
"AIBO" incorporates emotions such as happiness and anger and instincts such as the need for companionship. It operates autonomously in response to external stimuli and its own temperament and express emotions as well. "AIBO" is equipped with adaptive learning and growth capabilities that allow each unit to develop a unique personality including behavior shaped by the praise and scolding of its owner. Moreover, "AIBO" features 'game' and 'performance' modes that allow the user to give instructions to the robot using a tone-based remote control unit called the "Sound Commander." Users can also create motion data using a PC-based motion editor tool, which is sold separately, for the performance mode.
2. Smooth Movement with 18 Degrees-of-Freedom
A total of 18 degrees-of-freedom (1 for mouth, 2 for tail, 3 for head, and 3 for each leg) allow "AIBO" to walk smoothly on four legs as well as perform other complex motions.
3. Memory Stick for Easy Replacement of Programs
A pre-recorded 8MB "Memory Stick" comes as an accessory to "AIBO". It is used to store the software modules that control "AIBO's" movements and data that is generated during the learning process. "Memory Stick" makes it easy for users to insert new software modules into "AIBO," including original motion programs created by the user using the motion editor (sold separately).
4. Modular Software Based on the OPEN-R Architecture
"AIBO" employs modular software based on the OPEN-R architecture to facilitate the quick and easy addition and/or replacement of individual software modules.
5. Advanced Sensors Provide Increased Autonomy
The use of sensors, microphones, and speakers that roughly correspond to the sensory organs of a living creature make it possible for "AIBO" to communicate and react to external stimuli with a high degree of autonomy.
Touch Sensor : For recognizing tactile stimulation like being pet or hit Color CCD Camera : For detecting the shapes and colors of objects when approaching or avoiding them Range Finder : For detecting the distance to objects LED Lamps : For expressing happiness (green) and anger (red) Mini Stereo Microphone : For detecting the direction of a sound source and hearing sound from the Sound Commander remote control Miniature Speaker : Allows "AIBO" to make sounds Acceleration Sensor : For use in maintaining balance and regaining balance when recovering from a fall Angular Velocity Sensor : For detecting rotary motion
6. Other Features
- - Powerful 64-bit RISC processor
- - Equipped with 16MB of Main Memory
- - Employs Sony's "Aperios" Real-time Operating System
- - Comes with two special Li-Ion Batteries
[ERS-110] Technical Specifications
| CPU | 64-bit RISC Processor | ||
| Main Memory | 16MB | ||
| Program Memory | 8MB Memory Stick (Accessory) | ||
| Moving Parts | Mouth: 1 degree-of-freedom Head: 3 degrees-of-freedom Legs: 3 degrees-of-freedom (x 4) Tail: 2 degrees-of-freedomspacesTotal: 18 |
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| Internal Sensors |
Video Input | 180,000 pixel color CCD camera (x 1) | Head |
| Audio Input | Stereo microphone (one on each side) | Head | |
| Audio Output | Speaker (x 1) | Head | |
| Heat Detector | Heat Sensor (x 2) | Torso | |
| Range Finder | Infra-red range finding sensor (x 1) | Head | |
| Acceleration Detector | Spatial acceleration sensor (x 1) | Legs | |
| Rotation Detector | Angular velocity sensor (x 1) | Legs | |
| Contact Detectors | Touch sensor (x 1), Switch (x 4) | Head, Legs | |
| Power Source | DC7.2V (Lithium Ion Battery [ERA-110B]) | ||
| Energy Consumption | 12.6W (autonomous mode) | ||
| Operating Time | Approx. 1.5 hours (using fully charged battery) | ||
| Dimensions (l x w x h) | Approx. 274 x 156 x 266mm (not including tail) | ||
| Weight | About 1.4kg (Body Only) About 1.6kg (Including Memory Stick and Battery) |
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