Category Archives: Uncategorized

Aibo transforms from poodle to bulldog – Tech News – CNET.com

By Reuters

November 7, 2001, 12:00 p.m. PT

ERS-220

NEW YORK–Only time will tell if he’s truly bad to the bone. But the newest incarnation of Aibo, unveiled on Wednesday by Japan-based consumer electronics giant Sony, is designed with more virtual male hormone running through its circuitry than the playful robotic pups that sold out when they first went on the market in 1999.

“We like to call him ‘Mr. 220’ with attitude,” said Stuart Wallock, director of marketing and business planning for Entertainment Robot America, a unit of Sony Electronics. “He’s maybe a little more macho” than the previous Aibo robots, including the roly-poly Latte and Macaron robots launched in early September.

[…]

A Programmable Dog That Will Bite Back

November 8, 2001

By LISA GUERNSEY

http://www.us.aibo.com/

When Sony came out with its first four- legged Aibo robot in 1999, a lot of people thought that it was awfully cute. The latest Aibo, officially called ERS-220, is designed to look a little more menacing. Its eyes flash and it growls like an engine. The design is based on a revving race car, said Jon Piazza, a Sony spokesman, who described the new Aibo as “a Terminator type of guy” (minus the salty vocabulary).

[…]

The Register Sony’s next gen Aibo dogs hit market

By James Watson

Posted: 08/11/2001 at 15:11 GMT

Sony has showed off its third generation Aibo robotic dog. Canine V3 features more sensors for interaction, more LEDs for a wider emotional range, new behavioural patterns and upgraded control software.

[…]

Specs ASTAR – ATUKO

Specifics ASTAR-NO1

Specs

* Body

* Head

* Leg x 2

* Arms x 2

Freedom of Motion

* Head – 2 DOF (Degrees of Freedom)

* Legs – 3 DOF

* Arms – 3 DOF

* Hand – 1 DOF

* Foot – 2 DOF

* Total 20 DOF

Built-In

* 566 MHz RISC Processor

* 128 MB RAM

* 4 GB Harddisk

* ASTAR “Expansion Module” Slot

* PC Card slot Type2 In/Out

* 1 Fire Wire

* 2 USB

* 56K modem

* AC IN Power Supply connector Input

Sensors

* Infrared Distance Sensor

* Acceleration Sensor

* Audio Sensor

* Battery condition

Power Consumption

* Approx. 9W (Normal use in auto-dance mode)

Operating Time

* Approx. 45 Mins on 1 Lithium Ion Battery pack

* Approx. 110 Mins with AC Adapter (ASTAR goes into stand-by mode after 120 mins to avoid overheating )

Operating Temperature

* 41F to 95F (5°C to 35°C)

Operating Humidity

* 10% to 80%

Dimensions and Weight

* Size (WxHxL) 10.48″ (W) x 32.21″ (H) x 8.36″ (L)

* Weight (5.7kg)

Supplied Accessories

* AC adapter

* Power Station

* Lithium Ion Battery pack

* Dance Mat

* Documentation

* Carrying Bag

* Airport compatible card

Estimated Price

$15,000.00 (¥1,757,700.00 )

Sales Target

50 units until 10/2002

Ananova – Experts discuss ideas for robot festival

Story filed: 06:21 Thursday 1st November 2001

Academics and robot experts are looking to the future at a gathering to discuss the development of the UK’s first robot festival.

[…]

Plans are well under way for RoboFesta-UK, which takes place in 2004, and is expected to attract thousands of enthusiasts from all over the country.

[…]

Sony Dogs Aibo Enthusiast’s Site

http://www.aibohack.com

Courts: The company uses a controversial law to stop owners from altering the robotic pet. Some consumers balk.

By DAVE WILSON and ALEX PHAM, TIMES STAFF WRITERS



Sony Corp. is using a controversial U.S. law aimed at protecting intellectual property to pull the plug on a Web site that helps owners of Aibo, Sony’s popular and pricey robotic pet, teach their electronic dogs new tricks.

Aibo owners are outraged, and hundreds have vowed to stop buying Sony products altogether until the company backs off. Sony has sold more than 100,000 Aibos worldwide since 1999, at prices ranging from $800 to $3,000. The dogs have spawned a community of enthusiasts who fuss over the mechanical marvels as if they were real canines.

[…]

International robot sales boom

12:27 AEST Wed 31 Oct 2001

AP – Sales of industrial robots have risen to record levels and they have huge, untapped potential for domestic chores like mowing the lawn and vacuuming the carpet, according to a UN report.

[…]