Aibo

About Aibo

In 1994, within Sony's Computer Science Laboratory, Dr. Toshitada Doi teamed up with artificial intelligence expert Masahiro Fujita. Their goal was not to build a better appliance, but to create a robot that could entertain and feel alive. This project, championed by Sony's then-president Nobuyuki Idei, led to the creation of AIBO, a robotic dog. The first AIBO model, the ERS-110, launched in May 1999. It was an immediate sensation. Despite a price tag of $2,500, the initial units sold out online in just 20 minutes, signaling a strong public appetite for a robotic companion. Over the next few years, Sony released new generations of AIBO, continuously improving the robot's capabilities and design. A significant turn in the story came in 2006. In an effort to make the company more profitable, Sony made the difficult decision to discontinue the AIBO line, along with other robotics projects. The move was a blow to the passionate community of AIBO owners and even its creator, Dr. Doi, who famously held a mock funeral for the product line. For over a decade, AIBO was a beloved memory. Then, in November 2017, Sony announced its return. The new AIBO was a complete reimagining, equipped with cloud-based AI, advanced sensors, and the ability to form an emotional bond with its owners. This revival marked a new chapter for the robotic dog, bringing a pioneering concept from the 90s firmly into the modern era of connected technology.