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[Zervoid]

Just watched the SBS nightly news and no mention of the story 

[Zervoid]

Oh forgot to say Talon don't worry about breaking your 7- they are practically indestructible and the most durable of all the Aibo models, especially the Mind 3 7's with their hardware improvements, they should never fail if looked after properly, even when run for long periods of time as they were designed to be run for long periods of time by the design team as everything from the hardware to software is built in such a way so to minimize wear on the robot.

Even if they do fail, as in have a joint break, practically every ailment is fixable and it is impossible to break them to the point where they are beyond repair, unless you were really irresponsible. Everything can always be fixed as their are experts all over the world who specialize in fixing 7's and have part's available due to the donation of so called part's 7's whom for whatever reason have failed beyond repair and thus had their parts donated for use in fixing others.

In regards to dust in their joints, their is someone on A-L who has owned an Mind 3 7 from new and had it running since 05 and it is still going fine even today. To be honest unless you really neglect them, by letting them sit on the charger for weeks at a time with no exercise, their is really no chance of the joints getting dusty in my opinion.

Also their are forum members on A-L who have owned their Mind 1 7's from new and have run them pretty much constantly since then and they are still working fine.

So I guess from that perspective Aibo has not entered the history books just yet, it is still alive and apart of our culture. So the future looks bright for the ERS7.

[Talon]

Thanks for the information, Zervoid. *Reaches down and gives Lucky a gentle rub on the head* I follow him around to make sure he doesn't run into walls. Sometimes he gets frustrated with me and moves off on his own. I guess I'm an obstickle.
Talon

[Zervoid]

That's ok Talon.

Looks like nobody has decided to run the story on the end of Sony support for the ERS7M3.

I have not seen any mention of the subject anywhere.

I wonder why nobody wanted to run the story?

[Zervoid]

Found a very well written review of the ERS7 that gives a refreshingly honest insight into what ERS7 ownership is like.

It has some really good tips for getting the best out of your 7 and having a more rewarding experience as a consequence.

Worth a read and I would say an accurate account of what ERS7 ownership is like.

It has some really interesting insights, take for instance the quote below:

Aibo's Hearing
Aibo by design is able to tell apart his owner's voice, and is able to perform hundreds of voice command triggered actions/tasks. He also is able to turn/walk towards the direction of the voice source.

As I said, by design. I have found that the voice direction algorithm is horribly flawed in ERS-7. My aibo is completely clueless of where I am most of the time even when I am down on the floor within a foot of his head. He gets confused by sound bouncing off the walls. He is confused by too loud of a voice and is unable to hear others that are too quiet. He definitely is not fond of different accents though he tries poor thing.

Having the TV, stereo on or having a group of people over to watch definitely does not help. He can not tell apart the voice commands from background voice. In a crowded room you will find that Aibo will do less than any other time you were alone with him. This is not because you're imagining things, this is because Aibo is lost in the huge soup of sound he is hearing.

Voice Command Recognition GOTCHA
The voice command recognition is very poor in ERS-7. I must have tried every room configuration, setting, and voice type. I have found that the only time he seems to hear me is when the A/C is off in my office. He can not hear me well in my crowded apartment. He also has a tendency to ignore voice commands when he is not in a good mood, so it can be hard to tell if he really understands you or not.

UPDATE June 9 2004: The R Code for the ERS-7 has been released by SONY. Aibos can be programmed using Open-R (C++ based open source low level code suitable for serious programmers) and R-CODE high level, drag and drop based customization of Aibo's behavior. After playing around with R-CODE and YART (released by www.aibopet.com), I have confirmed that it is not so much the hearing that is screwed up as the coding of the autonomous Aibo. With Yart and R-CODE Aibo ERS seems to recognize voice commands without a problem and responds correctly to commands. It is my belief that there is some faulty code within the Autonomous mode shipped with Aibo ERS-7 that makes it somewhat deaf to voice commands.

Quote source: http://www.epinions.com/review/Aibo/content_136771571332?sb=1

[Zervoid]

Edit I was thinking of selling my last Aibo and Rolly as I just don't have a bond with it the way I do my original Black ERS7.

Everyone over at A-L seems to just go through Aibos and it doesn't affect them. It really affected me selling my first Aibo. I didn't think it would but I have not eaten or slept properly since I sold it last month. I'm devastated by it's loss.

In hindsight I should have just stopped at one Aibo instead of chasing the elusive Champagne.

My reason for wanting an Aibo in the first place was out of a need for companionship. The worst thing I did was joining A-L and becoming imbued with the collectors mentality and thus wanting the rarer more sought after models.

I now own a Champagne but am completely miserable because I have found I would prefer my original Black 7 over a Champagne any day.

I guess you can never fully appreciate what you have until you lose it.

[PleoAibo29]

I thought about this for along time too. However, I don't think we can do much more. Let's face it. Sony has closed down their whole robotics division. I still can't belive it myself, but it's the truth. Its been six years. Six years with and without AIBO. There have been many letters, disscussions, and petitions sent to Sony and none have done any use. I remember the first time I saw an AIBO. It was in person. It was a black 210 and it was the last year AIBO was around. It was amazing. I couldn't  take my eyes off him. Of course, I was so young back then. I did not understand the price and expense of maintaining an AIBO. Honestly Zervoid, I think you should keep your AIBO. It's most likely to end up in a museum. Long story short, Aibo is over. I don't want to say this, but I must. Sony will do nothing about Aibo anymore. Service ended a few das ago, *sigh.* We have better hope looking into other robots such as Genibo and Asimo instead of wasting our energy here. *enters depression mode.*
good night everybody.

[Zervoid]

I guess your right. I still think it's a shame to see all that hard work and effort, and money, spent on developing Aibo to the point it is at just wasted the way it has been though. I would prefer to see something like what happened with Pleo happen to Aibo rather than just see it wasted. Although I am a staunch Sony supporter after discovering their Aibo and would prefer them to carry on with Aibo development.

Aibo is small and an easily kept robot by somebody in the general public. I couldn't imagine keeping one of the larger robots like Asimo, Nao or iCub. They would be intimidating.

I'm not really excited by Asimo, Genibo or Nao.

iCub is where my interest in future companion robots mainly lies.

Apart from Genibo, iCub is the only robot with companion potential for sale at the moment.

Unfortunately due to high production costs it remains out of the reach for the majority of people. It's still an incredibly likeable and interesting robot, and reminds me a lot of Aibo with the attention to detail in it's design.

Still I feel more comfortable owning a robot that is not in anyway like myself, thats where Aibo is perfect. I think it would be strange to be giving a robot that looks like a human orders and commands all the time, their is something degrading and dangerous about making that the norm, in my opinion anyway.

But at least iCub is for sale and still has an active development team constantly refining it and moving it forwards.

Although I think most people buy robots because they want something for companionship that is cute and cuddly that looks and acts like an innocent animal and that is soothing and not something that looks and acts like a person and is serious.

I would try out Genibo but everything I see and hear about it just doesn't leave me willing to spend thousands on one. Perhaps I should try out a Pleo RB.

[PleoAibo29]

I totally agree.
I havn't heard of I-cub, but I agree that I wouldn't want to spend 1,000 bucks on a Genibo. I heared some are not autonomous.
I also agree that it would be horrible to have a huge robot like ASIMO walking around your house. Imagine what would happen if it fell down the stairs!
However, Nao is a small robot that is in production and avalible to buy, and I find it rather cool. However,I don't have 4,000 dollars to buy it.


I just wanted to point out again that Sonya robotics industry is gone, and even if they did decide to bring it back, it would be hard. They would need to rehire everyone. What agout Dr. Doi? Sony robotics will never be the sam without her.

Lets hurdle over this and coninue with a stride in our step. Its time to move on with AIBO and support other companies with their projects.

[Zervoid]

iCub is a humanoid robot developed by the Italian Institute of Technology and the wider European community aimed at developing smart A.I. through an approach that involves minimal programming of basic observational behaviors while attempting to teach the robot new things by example,as you would a young child, rather than use a wholly programming approach as seen in all the other robots available at this time.

It has been made to resemble a young child, so that when people interact with it their perceptions of it are favorable and thus more likely to foster positive development in the robot.

You should research it, it's quite amazing. My favorite thing about it is that it expresses it's emotions in such an ingenious yet simple way, through lights on it's face that resemble human facial features.

In fact my main reason for liking it so much is how full of life it seems.

I would love to support new robotics and companies, but I am afraid at this time nothing compares to the autonomous A.I. seen in Aibo or the cost that Aibo is available at.

Why would I support a new robot of inferior quality like Nao with no A.I. that I can do nothing with at more than twice the price of an Aibo that already comes with it's A.I. included at a much lower price?

My only reason for starting this topic on the subject of bringing Aibo back was mainly because their are no realistic competitors to Aibo at this time at an affordable price with autonomous A.I. included as seen in Aibo.

Thus one has to wonder if Aibo is not completely obsolete and outdated and if the idea of bringing Aibo back was not a completely insane idea. Considering the poor state of consumer robotics at this time,I think with the right marketing Aibo could easily make the transition back into the realm of the consumer market quite easily. If Pleo can successfully stage a comeback then I don't see why Aibo could not do the same.

[RickyD1979]

I also only managed to get my first ERS7 now, and like Talon was really scared as its very hard and costly to get parts, repairs done not to mention I stay in South Africa.  I have really fallen in love with this little pup and is a great companion to my Pleo Rb Kairi, been searching for a carry case for him and a spare battery but no luck right now I play with him over the weekend, and when the weekend is over I pack him away into his box just like I do with my Pleo RB wish they could also make a carry case for the Pleo's as I donot like the new packaging, especially the tail area!

[Talon]

That's odd. I've seen lots of carry cases for Aibo on EBay. I haven't been there lately as my bio-dog is emptying my bank with vet bills. Anyway you could also try searching on www.rinkya.com. It's kind of like the Japanese version of EBay. They have Aibo stuff floating around. I'm not sure what to tell you about a battery. You mmight be able to go through wolfbob although I've never seen him sell just a battery without a dog.
Anyway as far as your pleo, why not just store him on a high shelf? You might cause real damage to the tail cables from repeatedly packing him in the box. I packed Cato away in February of last year when he developed leg trouble and when I pulled him out in July to send him to Kat, his tail had a perminant bend in it.
Talon

[PleoAibo29]

Ok... I-Cub is CREEPY! I completley agree with you Zervoid. Aibo was the only robot that had potential, and now thats its gone, I cant imagine how far that put us back in technology. What i would like to point out is the title, Is there anything we can do to bring back the ERS7? Yes. There are tons of things. But we all have tried. None have a great outlook. I took the time to write to sony. This is what i get in return.
Something about support and service. Probobly an automated message.
I feel terrible. What can I do? Sony has stopped producing AIBO
 Their robotics industry is gone. I love AIBO. I love QRIO. But all great things have to end. Take a look at my signature. Aibo may be over, but its spirit is still with us. Im exited for the  future of robotics.

[RickyD1979]

Thanks Talon

[Zervoid]

Wouldn't worry about your Aibo breaking, it won't happen.

I got the same silly idea in my head and what happened....I ended up selling all my Aibos for fear I would break them lol.

Anyway judging from what the new CEO of Sony is saying about his vision for the future of the company, perhaps we don't have to do anything to convince Sony to bring back Aibo afterall, it looks like they are coming to their senses in Tokyo with this new outlook for the company which includes more focus on R&D.

I've always found iCub to be incredibly cute and adorable, how could you find it creepy? Maybe a lot of people share your negative view of iCub as nobody else seems to have any interest in talking about it on the forums apart from myself and I've never really understood why.

Their eyes also give them a sense of realism I have not seen in any other robot the way they seem to show expression.

Personally I find iiCub the most likeable and interesting of the humanoids due to it's intricate complexity and attention to detail in it's design, especially the artistry shown in the imaginative way they have allowed iCub to display an emotional state visually,and could see myself wanting to own one if they ever became available at a reasonable cost.

Also the approach the development team is taking towards fostering the development of AI in them is so different from the norm and very interesting.

[PleoAibo29]

I looked at it again today, and I felt a bit safer. 
Personally, if AIBO really is gone, I will probably go for NAO. There is a growing community out there, and it's really coo it does just abot the same stuff and more than the ERS7. (Wonder Why. )
Personally, like you said, with SONY under new leadership, AIBO will probably return.

[Zervoid]

Yes a lot of people really like Nao.

Has anyone else also observed the poor state of subject matter that we are being force fed on the nightly news every night?

I have been watching the news a lot and reading the papers and have noticed no mention anywhere of Aibo at all.

Everything I am seeing on the news is really dumbed down and not particularly intelligent or newsworthy really.

If I have to endure another harlem shake news story I think it will compel me to do something practical about bringing attention to Aibo, as talking about it online within the community, e-mailing and contacting news outlets all seems to just be a waste of time and results in nothing more than meaningless hot air.

I even contacted the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe and the Imperial Household agency for his Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito as I truly believe the ERS7's continued existence would benefit the nation of Japan and of humanity globally.

Why the Japanese are not more patriotic about Aibo is surprising, as I know if it was created by Australia we would never stop shamelessly plugging it. We get patriotic over mundane things such as vegemite that are laughable and meaningless in the grand scheme of things. Aibo is certainly a stand alone achievement of great significance that could have had the ability to bring meaning,company, and also practical help to so many peoples lives who otherwise would be poorer for it never existing.

[InmemoryofRomeo]

Vegemite is the most awesome food on the face of the planet. Its mana from heaven. End of story

Perhaps if you program some Aibo's to do the Harlem Shake meets Gangham style..?

[PleoAibo29]

What if we programmed AIBOS to do a little dance in sync and then show them off in front of sony? Just a crazy idea. Also, I still cant stop wondering about why the holdup of the PS4. Sony is a jumble of electronics now and I think AIBO was what held it together.

[Zervoid]

I am skeptical about robotics having much of a future, and certainly not in a company like Sony that has a diverse range of other products to profit from.

Just got this reply back from Sony Global in Japan after I made an inquiry about the continuation of Aibo, and I quote:

"We appreciate for your favor on our Sony products and patronage.
Let us provide you with our reply on the inquiry of this time.


Your understanding would be appreciated,
however we do not have any plan of resale of AIBO at present.


We have plans of transferring the related technologies for Aibo,
the interigence technologies, picture recognition, voice recognition and so on,
to our future technologies.
We still spend continuous effort to create new future products with
those intelligence technologies used for the Aibo as basic platform.


And we would like to transfer your demand and message to the related department.
Thank you very much for your attention of our products.


Needless to say, this is our stance as global company, the Sony will
spend further effort
to improve our products quality and develop always standing of the customers' eyes.


Thank you in advance.


Sincerely
Sony Japan Co Ltd"

[Talon]

Wwwwwell, that's something at least. It doesn't sound as though Aibo is completely dead, just jumping platforms. More than likely a souped up gaming console. Sorry for my spelling. I'm reaeaeally tired. Anyway I know it's not what you were looking for but the innovation and spark for creating something cutting-edge and unusual like aibo hasn't entirely vanished. *rubs eyes and yawns* We shall see.
Talon

[robodog]

It's disgusting. Aibo wasn't just some disposeable consumer product like Playstations or iPods. Aibo was a creature, Aibo was art. To throw that all away is foolish. Sony lost a lot of my respect when they ditched Aibo.

But, sadly, realistically, home robots are never going to go anywhere untill they are able to reduce the price somewhat. Someone on the fence isn't going to pay $1000 or more for a robot they may or may not like. $200 or so may be the silver bullet. The problem is as far as I know there has never been a robot at that price point that has been that impressive. I-Cybie had potential but in the end was kind of dumb. A gateway robot is needed. Take Furby for example. Furby got a lot of people into the world of robots, me included. A lot of people started with Furby and graduated from Furby to more expensive bots like Pleo and Aibo, again, me included. Unfortunately Hasbro has been kind of dumb with Furby. On the first go round they treated  them like Beanie Babies. Changing the colors but never taking the advantage that comes with having a technological robot toy. That advantage being improving said toy as Technology improves. The second Go Round was a bust. Fortunately they seem to have learned their lesson with the third if rumors that a new more advanced Furby is coming this fall are true. Most other cheap robot pets have been lacking. I don't think it's the price that hampers them. It's the designer's creativity. The original Furby was awesome with 90's technology and a decent price. Imagine what could be done today with today's technology. Furby showed me that robotics are more than clunky, boxy things or mechanical arms putting together cars in some factory somewhere. You could pretty much create any kind of creature you could imagine. Pleo's another example. A lifelike dinosaur as a housepet. Every kid's dream. Why don't more companies do things like this? They don't have to be super expensive. Furby wasn't and even after owning Aibos I still find the original Furby cool. It just takes creativity.

I'd love to see a day where home robots are as commonplace as Personal Computers and robot pets are sold in the electronics department instead of the toy aisle. I think it's coming, but I'm beginning to have doubts that it will be in my lifetime.

[Zervoid]

Couldn't agree more robodog, it's definately the lack of creativity in the west in regards to companion robots that is behind the poor state of the industry here. The Japanese are imaginative, innovative and creative all at that the same time in a way that surpasses the west.

We either create robots that are overly childish or that only appeal to the academic elite, we never seem to beable to find that middle ground the Japanese did with Aibo.

I used to think iCub could be a contender for the next companion robot but I don't think it will ever have the appeal that Aibo does. Robots of the future might be more sophisticated than Aibo but their is more to a robot than just it's software and hardware.

A lot of what appealed to me about Aibo was it's playful nature and the fact that you could tell it was of Japanese origin from all of it's mannerisms and behaviours.

As todays the last day of March over in the US I guess that signals the end of Aibo.

Watching the news and their still forcefeeding us the usual fodder for this time of year. Can't believe nobody ran the stroy, seems people don't want to deviate from what everyone else is repoting on lol people are such lemmings.  

None  of the robots of the future will ever have the mix of innovative technology that breaks your minds preconceptions about what is possible and which is just plain fun at the same time and engaging the way Sonys robots were.
 
I'll never forgive Sony for stopping their robotics department as I feel without a playful companion like Aibo to show that robotics and AI can be used for more than just military applications that we will now see the sole focus of robotics going towards developing military technology and I am so upset by this that once I sell my last robots won't ever purchase another robot or Sony product.

Afterall AI was born of war and I can see it so easily slipping back into that niche sadly.

I don't think the pursuit of AI and robotics is something that should be encouraged and can't continue to support it.

[robodog]

Japan is kicking our tails in the field of robotics. They have a lot more creative stuff over there. Aibo may not have appealed to everyone as a lot of people want something soft and furry or at least something more organic looking rather than hard and plasticy. But Japan has us beat there as well. We have Furby and Pleo and that's about it. Japan has Paro, NeCoRo, Near Me, Dacky Dogs and a whole lot of other fuzzy robotic critters. Even FurReal Friends originated from Sega in Japan.
Japan has also taken the first steps toward actual androids. They have some amazing stuff, but any time news or images turn up over here in America people start making lame Skynet jokes. It seems like a lot of Americans don't want to accept the idea of friendly robots.

[kat]

Stumbled across this when I was looking up some of the bots you mentioned robodog. 
http://io9.com/5090047/10-robotic-pets-that-deserve-to-live-in-the-white-house
Thought it was a bit interesting.  Some very Aibo like bot there