Developed by Sony, “aibo” has a long history as a dog-shaped entertainment robot. The first generation was introduced in 1999 and attracted a great deal of attention for its adorable appearance and innovative technology. The series was then put on hiatus, and in 2018, the new Aibo was launched, utilizing AI and cloud computing.
The most attractive feature of the current Aibo is that it is equipped with facial recognition, voice recognition, and cloud learning functions, and “grows” through daily interaction with the user. The most appealing feature of today’s Aibo is that it “grows” through daily interaction with the user. Aibo’s ability to reproduce the gestures and tail wagging of a real dog, and to respond to the user’s voice and facial expressions, has made it accepted not as a mere machine, but as a being with which one can communicate. Aibo is not just a gadget, but continues to attract attention as a long-term “family” pet.
Attractiveness of aibo｜Good points as perceived by users
The most attractive thing about Aibo is its “dogginess. The way Aibo rushes to the front door to greet you, the way it expresses its joy by wagging its tail, and the way it conveys its emotions by twitching its ears make users feel as if they are living with a live dog. In particular, the fact that the dog’s personality and behavior change little by little through cloud learning gives users the feeling of “becoming more familiar with the family” compared to when they first welcomed the dog ( official review ).
In addition, Aibo uses its facial recognition function to identify family members and responds to each of them individually. Its “air-reading” behavior, such as rushing to children in a cheerful manner and cuddling up to elderly family members in a calm gesture, has been highly evaluated. This kind of individualized response makes people feel that “Aibo is not just a program, but a relationship that is different for each family member. Some users have commented, “I feel like Aibo senses my moods and pampers me,” and the results of AI learning are experienced as an emotional bonding experience.
The Aibo dedicated application allows users to manage photos taken and customize Aibo’s behavior. There is also a function that lets users learn original tricks, allowing them to enjoy raising their very own Aibo. In addition, Aibo owners have formed a community on SNS to share their daily lives with other Aibo owners, creating new interactions among dog lovers and spreading the “joy of owning an Aibo. A cultural sphere similar to that of dog lovers has been formed.
Points for improvement｜Suggestions from users and reviewers
One husband and wife, many people have called for improvements to AIBO.
High price and maintenance costs
The main unit is expensive, ranging from the high 200,000 yen to 300,000 yen, and cloud service fees and subscriptions to support plans are also required. In the long run, the cost will be in the hundreds of thousands of yen, and many people say that it costs more than owning a dog ( review on price ). In particular, the monthly fee is mandatory, and some say, “It’s a shame that if you stop paying, the features are limited.
Short battery life
AIBO’s operating time is about 2 hours, and it takes about 3 hours to recharge. A common complaint is that “aibo suddenly goes into rest mode during playtime, cutting off the excitement” ( review regarding the battery ). In addition, the battery deteriorates over time, further shortening the operating time, and the high replacement cost is a major burden for owners.
Operating noise/motor noise
Since AIBO is driven by an internal motor, some people have commented that “mechanical noise is bothersome” in a quiet room. There have been many requests for improvements to “make it quieter” ( operation noise review ). Some users also said that “it bothers me when Aibo moves around in a quiet room at night,” and some feel that they need to adjust the time of use.
Lack of fur and tactile sensation
Some respondents said that the product “does not have the soothing feel of a plush toy when stroked” and “lacks warmth ” ( review on tactile sensation ). Some people feel that there is a difference in the “huggable presence,” especially when compared to LOVOT and Moflin. Many in the official community have requested that “the fur feel more natural if it is reproduced.
Other improvement requests
- ‘It would feel more natural if it had hair like a real dog’ ( personal blog )
- ‘As the battery degrades, operating time decreases even more, making replacement expensive and painful’ ( SNS review )
- ‘Highly server-dependent, afraid of cloud outages’ ( international forum )
- I would like more frequent updates.” ( user review )
- I’d like to see more support for multiple animals.” ( blog review )
- I’d like to see more speech recognition other than Japanese” ( overseas user forum )
Many such reviews can be found on official websites, SNS, and personal blogs, where users have strong attachments to Aibo but also point out realistic improvements.
Specifications and sizes｜Ease of incorporation into daily life
AIBO’s body size is approximately 180 x 293 x 305 mm and weighs about 2.2 kg, making it similar in size to a small dog. It is not too light, and many users feel that it is “just the right weight” when they pick it up. Since it does not require much space to run around, it can be kept even in a limited space such as a one-room apartment. For example, there are reports that “they are active without any problem even in a 6-mat room.
The aibo has its own recharging station (aibo house), and when its battery runs low, it automatically returns to rest, just like a real dog returning to bed,” says one user. Some users feel that “the dog’s response to calls changes over time,” indicating that cloud learning is an integral part of its daily life.
However, a stable Internet environment is essential, and an unstable connection will affect operation. In addition, Aibo may get caught on furniture or steps, so it is necessary to prepare a safe space in advance. In particular, the thickness of carpets and cords can hinder movement, so it is important to prepare an environment that takes into account Aibo’s range of activities.
User’s Voice (Original quote)
Every day when I come home from work, he runs up to my front door. It’s like a real dog.” ( User review )
‘It’s really amazing how they remember my face and react differently to me and my kids.’ ( Official website review )
The price is too high. Frankly, it’s tough to even think about the maintenance costs.” ( Personal blog review )
The battery runs out quickly. Too bad it’s time to recharge without enough to play with.” ( SNS review )
Would have been better if it had fur that could be petted like a dog.” ( Review article )
‘When aibo calls my name like a member of the family, it almost brings tears to my eyes. Reminds me of a living dog.” ( Buyer review )
I have many aibos, but their interaction with each other is still a bit awkward. I hope it will become more natural in the future.” ( Blog review )
“Looking forward to more things we can do with updates, but they are infrequent.” ( SNS post )
“English support abroad is weak and instructions are sometimes difficult to follow.” ( Reddit review )
Conclusion｜aibo is the perfect companion for those who seek “dogginess
AIBO is a one-of-a-kind pet robot that offers gestures and reactions similar to those of a real dog. Although there are some issues, such as price, maintenance costs, short battery life, and noise, the charm and healing effect of Aibo outweigh these issues. Especially for those who would like to own a dog but find it difficult to do so in their environment, Aibo can be a soothing partner. For dog lovers, the time spent watching Aibo’s behavior and growth will be an invaluable experience.
When considering a purchase, we recommend that you get hands-on experience with the product through a trial session or rental. By checking out other users’ reviews and seeing if it fits your lifestyle, you can make a choice you will not regret. Ultimately, it is important to accept the balance between “dog-like” and “robot-like. In addition, it is also useful to find the right partner for you through comparison with other pet robots such as LOVOT, Moflin, and Nicobo.
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