Rest in Peace, Sony Aibo: The Aibo lived seven years — or 49 if you count robotic dog years.
On Thursday, Sony pulled the plug on Aibo, its peppy robotic dog with a software-controlled personality and abilities that has entertained thousands of faithful owners. The dogs, which cost upward of $2,000 each, can dance, whimper, guard and play, developing personalities based on interaction with their owners. Sony has sold more than 150,000 Aibos since launching the product in May 1999.
Another owner, Bruce Bender, owns 56 Aibos, which he believes is the world’s largest private collection. Bender, who lives in Rancho Cordova, outside Sacramento, noted in a message board posting that although Aibo manufacturing has stopped, “that doesn’t mean Aibo is dead.”
Bender said in a phone interview that he still plans to host gatherings for the worldwide Aibo community, such as one he held in late September where 110 dogs danced together in unison. Bender believes Sony’s moves will bring the Aibo community closer together — at least in spirit.
More boobies! There was a post a bit back that talked about increasing blog traffic and I noted that two best ways were frequent posts, and boobies. While I note that John is note listed as the poster I have to ask if he is personally picking the images 🙂
YOu have outlined a formula for success. That said, I did NOT pick that picture. But I think it does the job of attracting attention. I’m old school, what can I say? And curiously it doesn’t take much to convince the contributing editors that “old school” is the way to go! I actually haven’t run any cheesecake pics for sometime.
Too bad. Of all the recreational robots out there (if there are any other than Sony’s), Aibo was the most successful. Some other company can make a killing if it fills this void left by Sony.
I like real dogs. Sony can’t stop production of them. My yellow lab fetches, catches, and returns items I throw out. He has also been know to lure women back and didn’t cost 2k.
Wait a second: That guy owned 56 robotic dogs. What a freak.
Yeah, that’s what I noticed. Another guy with too much money to spend and apparently too much time on his hands. The clincher is this notion that the product isn’t dead simply because manufacturing has stopped. Another category of users of dead-technology, like the Timex-Sinclair support groups. Get a grip.
BTW, you’ve all been using your fair share of cheesecake lately (like the man-who-would-be-Jesus post), etc. That was in-context though, so it’s not a big deal, and I’m certainly not complaining. Just noticing. (giggling like Gildersleeve).
Dvorak, I’ve been reading you for 20 years now. And boobies are fine by me.
Wohoo! In this world of hags and fags I really wouldn’t mind my aibos delivered with some appetizer!