AIBO software and personality upgrades
AIBO Life which simulates a new-born creature, which gradually matures over a 3-month period (this is much like a tamagotchi kind of experience, with the AIBO requiring a lot of attention and reassurance. AIBO Life costs AU$190);
Hello AIBO, the personality we saw in action, and the most well-rounded personality (an "adult" persona, with a mix of energy, exploration and exhibitionist behaviour thrown in. Hello AIBO costs AU$170);
AIBO Fun Pack PC software, which allows you to download pictures taken by AIBO, as well as AIBO's photo-essay "diary" which it records at intervals that it judges key to it's existence. AIBO Fun Pack costs AU$210.
AIBO Party Mascot is the most extroverted AIBO personality, with the energy and enthusiasm of a sports car sales representative. With this software-soul it constantly performs wacky tricks, sings songs, dances, and generally acts the goat. Party Mascot has a much larger song and dance repertoire, and can also offers a high-tech"spin-the-bottle" solution. It will spin around on its little plastic legs and stop at random, pointing in a direction with a plastic foreleg to single out the lucky (or unlucky) individual(s). It can also play a slightly obtuse game of Rock, Paper, Scissors and Roulette, although the exact mechanics of this are unclear, considering that it doesn't have prehensile toes. AIBO Party Mascot costs AU$190.
Yet to be released locally
The AIBO Navigator allows you to control AIBO from a PC, with wireless communications. You can view images in real time from the AIBO point-of-view, using it as a kind of roving explorer. You can take digital photos at ease, bringing raise to a rather nervously composed disclaimer message -- "Please don't use AIBO to take pictures that might inconvenience other people". The mind boggles.
AIBO Messenger is a kit to enable AIBO to do wireless LAN interaction. It can provide alerts of incoming email, providing information, from a "homepage" (any Web site?) in response to special key words.
OPEN-R is a hardcore development kit for creating new applications for AIBO.
AIBO Master Studio software, released in March 2001 is for hard-core programming of the AIBO system. Popular in Japan, it uses visual tools to fit together new patterns of stimulus/response for AIBO to follow, within certain boundaries.
For more information on the Japanese push into robotic technologies, see the report on the Japanese government's efforts to encourage these kinds of industries below.
Japan to animate robot industry
The Japanese government is set to invest heavily in setting up a robotics industry, in a move that could speed up the development of futuristic devices such as robots that could nurse and entertain people, or carry out dangerous tasks.
Company: Sony Australia
Price: AU$3,000
Distributor: Sony Australia
Phone: 1300 137 669
I fear the obsession with recreational gadgets is becoming insane. These are toys. Things without a soul or emotions. Kids are becoming more anti-social and obese. Shorter attention spans from hours spent in front of the TV or playstation cripple their concentration in school and their thirst for knowledge.
These toys are dangerous to any children. How can a child mature normally with electronic toys as pets and companions? The real world is full of real people, with real ideas and emotions.
We should understand the consequences of a new technology before we discuss and admire the new features. I'm in favour of many new technologies which serve a constructive purpose. For example, robots used for bomb disposal and other life-threatening situations.