Sony AIBO
Robot Toys | February 18th, 2008
AIBO (Artificial Intelligence roBOt, homonymous with “companion” in Japanese) was one of several types of robotic pets designed and manufactured by Sony; there have been several different models since their introduction in 1999. Able to walk, “see” its environment via camera, and recognize spoken commands, they are considered to be autonomous robots, since they are able to learn and mature based on external stimuli from their owner or environment, or from other AIBOs. Artist Hajime Sorayama created the initial designs for the AIBO.
The AIBO has seen use as an inexpensive platform for artificial intelligence research, because it integrates a computer, vision system, and articulators in a package vastly cheaper than conventional research robots. The [RoboCup] autonomous soccer competition has a “RoboCup Four-Legged Robot Soccer League” in which numerous institutions from around the world participate. Competitors program a team of AIBO robots to play games of autonomous robot soccer against other competing teams.
A colour camera (350,000 pixels), sensors, stereo microphones and speakers allow full interaction with your new companion - Numerous touch sensors, you can use to train your AIBO - Built-in Wireless LAN - AIBO can playback MP3 music files, internet radio, call out your schedule, record movie clips with its camera and be remotely controlled via PC - Faster reactions to voice commands and improved obstacle avoidance - House sitter mode - AIBO records and emails pictures and sounds of any movement or sound whilst you’re out - Supplied with AIBO Mind 2 Software so that your AIBO is ready to live and learn The robot also comes with Wi-Fi on board, so that it can connect wirelessly to the Internet, or be managed by the owner from a remote PC.
Specifications
Components Body, Head, Leg x 4, Tail - CPU 64bit RISC processor - Main Storage / MB SDRAM - Program Storage Medium Memory Stickâ„¢ Media for AIBO - Input/Output PC Card Slot Type 2 In/Out - Memory Stickâ„¢ Media Slot In/Out - AC in Power Supply Connector Input - Image Input CMOS Image Sensor (300K pixel) - Audio Input Miniature Stereo Microphones - Audio Output Miniature Speaker - Built-in Sensors Temperature Sensor - IR Distance Sensor - Acceleration Sensor - Pressure Sensors (head, face, back, legs and tail) - Vibration Sensor Power Consumption approx. 9W