<Press Release>

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May 11, 1999

Sony Launches Four-Legged Entertainment Robot "AIBO" Creates a New Market for Robot-Based Entertainment 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.

"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 Color CCD Camera

Range Finder
LED Lamps
Mini Stereo Microphone

Miniature Speaker Acceleration Sensor

Angular Velocity Sensor

6. Other Features

: For recognizing tactile stimulation like being pet or hit

: For detecting the shapes and colors of objects when approaching or avoiding them

: For detecting the distance to objects

: For expressing happiness (green) and anger (red)

: For detecting the direction of a sound source and hearing sound from the Sound Commander remote control

: Allows "AIBO" to make sounds

: For use in maintaining balance and regaining balance when recovering from a fall

: For detecting rotary motion

- 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

Main Features of [ERF-510]

1. Simple Creation of Original Motions for "AIBO"
Even users with no prior robotics or programming experience will find it easy to create original motions for "AIBO." Through the use of a graphical user interface, users can manipulate a 3-Dimensional model of "AIBO" to edit the robot's movements in a manner that resembles the editing of video footage. In addition, sound editor software already on the market makes it possible to create sounds in the MIDI and WAVE file formats and use them to replace "AIBO's" original sounds.

2. Incorporates Timeline Editing, Simulation Features
All of the robot's motions can be displayed on a computer screen along with a timeline feature, which allows users to confirm each of the motions, edit them very efficiently, change their order, and add new motions. Moreover, the software can conduct a simulation to confirm that none of the motions exceed the mechanical limitations of the robot's limbs and that none of the moving parts will collide with one another. The simulation also allows the user to check other factors, such as the speed of the robot's movement.

3. Supports "Memory Stick" IC Recording Media
User can store newly created motion data on a "Memory Stick" for easy transfer into "AIBO" or exchange with friends. Furthermore, "Memory Stick" includes features that ensure that data is stored correctly.

[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

Video Input

180,000 pixel color CCD camera (x 1)

Head

Internal Sensors

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)

[ERF-510] Main Features

[ERF-510] System Requirements

* "AIBO," the "AIBO" logo, "Memory Stick" and "OPEN-R" are trademarks of Sony Corporation. * Pentium® is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
* Windows95® and Windows98® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.