Sony débuts latest AIBO entertainment robot in the USA with voice recognition and other advanced features

Industrial Robot

ISSN: 0143-991x

Article publication date: 1 February 2001

113

Keywords

Citation

(2001), "Sony débuts latest AIBO entertainment robot in the USA with voice recognition and other advanced features", Industrial Robot, Vol. 28 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2001.04928aab.012

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:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited


Sony débuts latest AIBO entertainment robot in the USA with voice recognition and other advanced features

Sony débuts latest AIBO entertainment robot in the USA with voice recognition and other advanced features

Keywords Robots, Sony, Voice recognition

Entertainment Robot America (ERA), a division of Sony Electronics Inc. (SEL), has announced a new series of AIBO entertainment robots, which will be able to recognize up to 50 spoken words and include a variety of other advanced features (see Plate 5).

Futuristic technological functions of the AIBO ERS-210 begin with voice and name recognition, but also include wireless LAN movement control (wireless LAN card will be sold separately). The development of this second generation AIBO robot series follows in response to strong worldwide customer demand for the original AIBO entertainment robot model, the sold-out ERS-110 and ERS-111.

Plate 5 AIBO entertainment robots

The AIBO ERS-210 will have the capability of more intimate interaction, as a result of voice recognition technology in the autonomous application software. Additional LED lamps (light-emitting diodes) on the robot's face and tail support the robot's expressive nature by enabling AIBO to demonstrate a variety of emotions.

AIBO also features added touch sensors on its chin and back, plus the sensor on the head allows for varying degrees of response and increased sensitivity to human contact.

The AIBO ERS-210 now has 20 joints and 20 degrees of freedom (head x 3, legs x 4 x 3, tail x 2, mouth x 1, ear x 2), enabling smooth body movement. The previous model AIBO had 16 joints and 18 degrees of freedom. Six multi-colored LEDs on the face and two on the tail allow AIBO to show a rich variety of emotions through independent blinking.

Autonomous mode "AIBO Life" software (sold separately)

AIBO acts as a fully autonomous robot that makes independent decisions about its own actions and behavior through the autonomous application called "AIBO Life". AIBO grows up with abundant individuality by interacting with its environment, communicating with people and learning its owner's behavioral preferences. With the use of this software, AIBO has the ability to mature from infant to adult, learning new behaviors with increased human interaction.

Voice recognition, voice imitation and photo-taking capabilities

When used with "AIBO Life" autonomous application software (sold separately), the ERS-210 features voice recognition, imitates speech patterns with tonal melodies and has photo-taking capacities:

  • Voice recognition. AIBO has the ability to recognize and respond to a human voice. A fully matured AIBO can recognize approximately 50 simple words.

  • Record name. Owners can teach their own personal name for AIBO so that their ERS-210 responds to its own name. When called by its name, AIBO will emit a special electronic sound.

  • Voice imitation function. When spoken to, AIBO will react and respond to voice tones with tonal melodies.

  • Photo-taking function. When AIBO hears someone say "Take a photo", it will take a snapshot of whatever is in its range of vision. AIBO takes one photograph everyday capturing its surrounding environment. The photographs taken by AIBO can be seen on a home PC by using special "AIBO Fun Pack" software (sold separately).

For further information, please visit the Sony Web site at: http://www.sony.com

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