Sony Reportedly Announcing New Robot Dog Next Month (wsj.com)

Zorro shares a report from The Wall Street Journal (Warning: source may be paywalled; alternative source): Sony Corp. is planning next spring to roll out a dog-shaped pet robot similar to its discontinued Aibo with updated components that could allow it to control home appliances, people familiar with the matter said. Sony is preparing for a media event in November to show off the product, the people said. It is unclear whether the new product will use the Aibo name and how much it will cost. Sony Chief Executive Kazuo Hirai said last year at a strategy briefing that the company was developing "a robot capable of forming an emotional bond with customers, and able to grow to inspire love and affection." He told The Wall Street Journal at the time that the company might make an Aibo-like dog robot. The Nikkei newspaper reported earlier this month that Sony was targeting spring 2018 for the release of a home robot.

Comments

Hoping for just one thing

[SuperKendall]

Please tell me this is a cross promotion with Battlestar Galactica to bring us a real robot daggit.

Sony needs to develop something else first.

[dmomo]

Trust. No way would I let this walking root kit into my home.

Re:Sony needs to develop something else first.

[arth1]

But why not? It will have a microphone, camera, likely IR to work as a remote control, be autonomous, have internet access - what could possibly go wrong?

Wait a sec - brilliant idea for Alexa!

[SuperKendall]

As long as we are talking about robot dogs, what about an Amazon Alexa robot dog!

People are already used to talking dogs thanks to cartoons, so jut make the Alexa dog voice a bit Goofier (TM).

People are also used to teaching dogs commands via simple words which also meshes great with Alexa's limited vocab.

Lastly it would mean " 'Lexa " the puppy would be able to wander around and see what you are low on to order more... or perhaps even playfully chew something up so you'd have to order another!

I can see it so clearly now, this is the path Alexa must go....

Cusomers DEMANDED this?

[freeze128]

"You know what I really want? I *REALLY* want my current biological dog to control my appliances." said no one ever.

Re:Cusomers DEMANDED this?

[Gravis Zero]

Cusomers DEMANDED this?

This is actually a result of Japan's very interesting labor laws. Basically, when you hire somebody in Japan, it's a lifelong hire. This means that in a place like Sony, when a project ends and there is nothing in the pipeline that needs additional work that they can't just layoff their workers. Instead, the workers either sit around and do nothing or quit. So when you get a bunch of smart people sitting around, they come up with interesting ideas that could make some profit and they become non-priority company projects. I'm certain AIBO is one of those things.