Sony has announced that it will no longer make the mass-marketed canine robot known as the Aibo. Sony will, however, continue to repair the machines for another seven years.
This article describes how some people have developed surprisingly deep attachments to their aibos. Here's an excerpt:
An Aibo can understand 100 words and phrases and recognize three people's faces as it stores digital photos in its brain. It knows when its behavior is being praised because it has a sensor on its head that recognizes when it's being petted. Later versions have a built-in camera so Aibos can serve as home sentinels, and e-mail their owners if something appears to be amiss.
Takeshi Ohashi, a Kyushu Institute of Technology professor, considers Aibo a gem of technological finesse. He plans to appeal to Sony to bring the robots back. . . .
Masato Maruyama, an engineer, believes Sony isn't just hurting Aibo owners, who feel as if they're being told their pets have just seven more years to live.
"I feel the decision to withdraw from a product that's so representative of Sony heralds an end for Sony as a global leader," he said.
Saving AIBO is a noble endeavor and granted, my feeble attampt to help is not guaranteed to work. Buy hey, at least I'm trying. Maybe my fledgling effort will inspire other people who *really* know how to mount an effective public relations campaign. Well anyway, here are the web sites I've created to do my part to help save sweet, adorable, AIBO:
http://www.aiboforever.com
http://www.aibowemissyou.com
http://www.bringbackaibo.com
http://www.helpsaveaibo.com
Posted by: Robert Glover | 02/05/2006 at 10:17 AM