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Tuesday 15 October, 2002

Treat your 'dog' right! by bluetracker @ 6:21 pm

Download FREE Mini-Applications Dubbed "AIBO Treats" to Interact with Sony's Robot Mutt

From today (October 15th) Entertainment Robot America (ERA), a division of Sony Electronics, say it will be making a variety of free software mini-applications, quaintly dubbed as "AIBO Treats," available to owners via the Web (www.us.aibo.com), . The new software applications we are told will give AIBO® owners a "multitude of ways in which to interact with their Entertainment Robot".

The first of the free downloadable AIBO Treats software is AIBO DJ, which Sony claim; "will give owners the ability to mix music together using the sensors on the robot that represent various sounds. Owners will be able to select their own samples and then play them over a rhythm track allowing users to create their own music."

AIBO Treats, which utilizes Sony's OPEN-R® software development kit, the tool-set that once allowed only programmers to create new 'tricks' for AIBO, now gives owners the chance to experience different applications that they can create for their robots themselves.

"Based on our research and consumer feedback we plan to release a variety of downloadable software applications, over the next few months, designed to appeal to AIBO owners of all ages," said Victor Matsuda (ERA's vice president) who went on to say; "AIBO Treats will enable the robot to entertain and in some cases even educate its owner."

Between now and the end of the year a total of eight AIBO Treats are planned for release. Titles are to include AIBO Clock, a program that reminds its owner of important appointments, AIBO “Boo”; a program created for Halloween that allows the robot to make scary noises when someone passes in front of its camera; and finally AIBO Colours, a program that is intended to help teach children to differentiate one colour from another.

Sony say however that some AIBO Treats applications will not be compatible with all models of AIBO Entertainment Robots, and some applications may require wireless LAN capabilities although what exactly these are is not revealed in the press release.

So you see the plastic coated electronic mutt is getting more and more lifelike with this addition to its arsenal of tricks. AIBO's real life flesh and blood canine counterpart however; already has the ability to train its owner to do all sorts of things...like feeding, exercising and cleaning up after it.

Now, all the electronic version needs in my most humble opinion is Tungsten tipped teeth as extras and software to enable users to program it to chase off Double-glazing salesmen and other such 'door knocking menaces' plus perhaps the ability to fetch one’s slippers! Although perhaps these capabilities will have to wait for the release of a GTi model !

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