Well... this is what Dongbu has to say from my email correspondent with them :
Dear Alan,
Sorry for my confusing. I may need more coffee..
We can feel how you feel a thirst on manufacturer’s active feedback upon customer’s request.
Though we have some restriction due to a lot of R&D project (for other products), we will try to gain open API & SDK and develop more friendly software in future.
Let me ask your opinion if we need any input from the market during the development.
Please understand that we are not in position to guarantee some time frame when we can complete your request, but we will do that step by step.
Thank you for your keen interest in Genibo again.
Keep in touch!
Truly Yours,
Daniel Hwang /
Sales Manager
Service Robot Sales Division
Dongbu Robot Co.,Ltd.
Tel) +82-32-329-5551 (Ext. 311)
Fax) +82-32-329-5569
www.dongburobot.com11F, Bucheon TechnoPark 401, Yakdae-Dong, Wonmi-Gu,
Bucheon-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea (Zip : 420-734)
From: Alan Thum [mailto:alan@carpediem-always.com]
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 5:58 PM
To: Daniel (HyunBo) Hwang
Cc: richardpark@dongbu.com; '안병준'
Subject: Re: Old stocks of Genibo QD
Hi Daniel,
Errr I'm not a reseller… I'm a consumer, who is also in a few groups of Aibo owners community who have been searching high and low on more information regarding the Genibo (as it is seen as the spiritual successor to Aibo after Sony killed Aibo back in 2006).
I understand Mr Han is to your distributer for the Genibo SD in Malaysia.
I received your responds regarding the features that the community requested from Mr Han as well.
We, the community who are made up of the general consumer group (does nothing but just use), to enthusiast (likes making new skits/movements), to the hardcore robotics (likes diving deep and create all new AI/personalities) have a common question asked, which was also directed to Dasarobot back then:
1. Will Dasarobot, now Dongbu, fully release international versions of the SDK so that we the community can create new software and AI for Genibo (QD or SD doesn't not matter).
2. Will Dasarobot, now Dongbu, allow for us to hack into the Genibo to further enhance the robot? (this was the case for Aibo ERS-110 till ERS-2x0 series and it made the demand for Aibo so much more attractive if not for the crazy prices).
One reason why I asked about the QD is because it is an older model and that if there are, can we purchase them of Dongbu and then Hack into the Robot to create new AI systems? There are many QD owners who were unhappy with the performance of the QD and the lack of support from Dasarobot back then. Many hope that Dongbu will be better especially in support. They are willing to support the company, but in return they need to know they will not be left hanging.
regards,
Alan