Sony Corporation (Sony) recently announced the launch of its latest model of aibo, the robot dog. The new aibo will be the first ever connected model and comes powered with artificial intelligence, so that the robot becomes an actual pet companion able to build an emotional bond with members of the household while providing them with love, affection, and the joy of nurturing and raising a companion.
Shippings of aibo are scheduled to start off on 11th January 2017, but Sony is accepting pre-ordersfrom 11:01 P.M. on Wednesday, November 1st, 2017 through the Sony Store website.
aibo will be available for purchase exclusively through the Sony Store, Sony’s direct retailer at a price around $1,746. The robot dog must be ordered along with a basic plan from ($22.04 monthly) and My aibo app (available at Google play and App Store) is also needed for aibo to fully deploy its potential.
Sony also provides aibo support care (repair) from $13.22 monthly.
No happy dog without its bone. Also from 11th January 2018 Sony plans to start off shippings of aibone, a bone-shaped toy accessory aimed to spice up the life with aibo and aibo’s development through play. aibone will be offered at a $26.24 tentative price.
aibo is the cutest face of Sony’s bet for artificial intelligence, but the Japanese company has taken some other important steps this year on this field: Sony invested in the US AI start-up Cogitai (June 2016); joined the Partnership on AI in May 2017; made vailable Sony’s deep learning software as an open source in June 2017; the company made available its Neural Network Console for free ( August 2017); launched “Xperia Hello!” communications robot (AI based home assistant) in October 2017 and Sony unveiled its New Concept Cart: SC-1, a prototype of connected self driving car (October 2017).
The cutest aibo ever
The new aibo i as well the cutest in the range, and not only by its rounded appearance. Sony developed ultracompact 1- and 2-axis actuators. These give aibo’s compact body the freedom to move along a total of 22 axes and make its smooth, natural movements possible. Furthermore, its eyes utilize two OLEDs to allow for diverse, nuanced expressions.
aibo shows its love for its owners through lifelike expressions and a dynamic array of movements. Its body language is expressed through a combination of eye, ear, and tail movements as well as different voice sounds.
This adaptable behavior is made possible through Sony’s well-cultivated deep learning technology, in the form of inbuilt sensors that can detect and analyze sounds and images. aibo also comes with fish-eye cameras that utilize simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) technology, allowing it to lead its life in close conjunction with its owners.
My aibo app, aibo basic plan and aibo support care
My aibo is an app designed to help owners enjoy life with their aibo by providing support and convenience. In addition to accessing system settings and owner information, other features include “aibo Photos,” which lets users view any pictures taken, a feature to “Play” with a virtual aibo inside the app, and the “aibo Store,” where users can add additional Tricks to their aibo. Some of these features are also accessible to users who do not own an aibo, but aibo and aibo basic plan are needed to fully enjoy all features of My aibo.
An aibo Basic Plan subscription is necessary to utilize aibo. By subscribing to the aibo Basic Plan, one can use a Wi-Fi connection at home or a mobile connection on the go to enjoy the full range of aibo features. These include aibo being able to access information stored in the cloud to grow and learn as well as My aibo app (aibo Photos, aibo Store). Additionally, the data of the users of aibo’s stored in the dog robot will periodically be backed up in the cloud. A planned future service will allow owners to restore this backed up data onto a new aibo even in the event of an accident resulting in irreparable damage.
Sony is also providing aibo Support Care, which offers discounts on repair fees in the event of damage or malfunctions. Subscription to this service is optional but the company offers 50% rebate both in repair, checking and inspection fees to subscribers.
Image over the headline.- aibo. © Sony.
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