Sony aibo is an AI-powered robotic dog that walks, learns, and bonds with you over time. With cloud-based personality development, facial recognition, and lifelike movement, aibo redefines emotional robotics and pet companionship in Japan and beyond.
Courtesy of Jill Greenberg/Teen People Magazine
In a world increasingly powered by artificial intelligence, Sony’s aibo stands out not just as a robotic marvel, but as a loyal companion. Originally launched in 1999 and reimagined in 2018 as the ERS-1000, aibo is a robotic dog designed to interact, evolve, and even form emotional bonds with its owners. Blending robotics, cloud computing, and AI personality learning, aibo remains one of the most sophisticated consumer companion robots on the market today.
Sony first introduced aibo in 1999, with early models like the ERS-110 and ERS-7 featuring basic mobility, camera sensors, and voice recognition. It was a hit among tech enthusiasts and educators, with over 150,000 units sold before the line was discontinued in 2006 as part of a corporate restructuring. Groundbreaking—featuring expressive motion, cameras, speakers, and voice recognition. These robots became popular in educational settings and were inducted into the Robot Hall of Fame.
2018–Present: The ERS-1000 Era
In 2018, Sony brought aibo back to life with the ERS-1000, a significantly more advanced version. This new model boasts 22 degrees of movement, OLED eyes, built-in cameras, microphones, and cloud-connected AI. It’s no longer just a novelty—it’s an emotionally aware, learning pet robot. Sony officially sells the latest aibo (ERS‑1000) only in Japan and the U.S.—it’s not available in most other countries through Sony directly.
· Janet Jackson featured an ERS‑111 in her 2000 music video “Doesn’t Really Matter”, boosting AIBO’s visibility.
· A popular early-2000s celebrity snapshot shows Britney Spears posing with an AIBO—capturing the Y2K zeitgeist .
· In pop culture: AIBO has appeared in TV shows and films like Frasier, Futurama, Click and American Gods—though these are fictional placements, not purchases.
· aibo has appeared in Frasier, Click, American Gods, and more
That said, aibo has become a beloved companion among tech-savvy individuals and robotics enthusiasts in Japan, even spawning community-driven meetups:
· Penguin Café in Tokyo hosts a weekly “Aibo World” gathering, where aibo owners—many with multiple units—bring their robotic pets to socialize and perform together.
· Reportedly, owners celebrate aibo’s “birthdays,” treat them like family, dress them up in kimonos, and even hold “funerals” for older models.
aibo learns over time, developing a unique personality based on your interactions—recognizing faces (up to 100 individuals), responding to praise, pets, and emotional cues. It maps your home using SLAM, navigates back to its charging station, and users can manage it via the My aibo app—teaching tricks, feeding virtual food, and customizing behavior.
They also caution that each new ERS‑1000 includes a three‑year cloud plan, so even if Sony launches a new model, current units remain functional. Seen as a pioneering companion robot, aibo shifted expectations for emotional and interactive AI in consumer devices. While its current focus is companionship, Sony has hinted at future utility roles—possibly as a smart-home assistant leveraging its advanced image sensors.
AI Personality & Learning, aibo develops a unique personality based on how it’s treated. It can: Recognize up to 100 faces. Respond to voice commands. React to praise, petting, and emotional tone. Learn tricks and develop behaviors over time
My aibo App, owners can manage settings, view aibo’s memories, feed it virtual food, and teach it new actions using the My aibo app (available on iOS and Android).
Cloud Integration, each aibo comes with a three-year cloud plan, allowing it to receive updates, learn new behaviors, and continuously evolve.
Editions, aibo comes in several colorways including: Ivory White (standard). Black Sesame. Strawberry Milk. Espresso Edition (2023). Kinako Edition (2024)
Available in Ivory White (standard), Black Sesame, Strawberry Milk, and limited editions like Espresso (2023), Kinako (2024), and Black Sesame (2022). U.S. price is around $2,900 USD, including a three-year AI‑Cloud subscription and accessories
Global Availability & Import Options are in Japan & U.S. only. No direct sales elsewhere: Buyers in Europe, Australia, Canada, South Korea, and elsewhere: You can import one, but expect trade-offs: Must manage language, cloud access, activation, and service issues yourself. Some features will be limited or unavailable depending on region. If you're committed, using a forwarding service and VPN to set up region-specific accounts can get it working—but support and premium features are much smoother if you're in Japan or the U.S.
Japan is aibo’s strongest market. Each new edition sells out quickly, and Sony has implemented programs like the “aibo Foster Parent Program”, which repurposes unused aibos for use in nursing homes and therapy centers. Community meetups and birthday celebrations are common, showing just how culturally embraced aibo is in Japan.
Since its relaunch in January 2018, every preorder batch of the ERS‑1000 in Japan has sold out immediately. Sony continues celebrating each annual anniversary with new limited editions—such as the Kinako Edition (2024)—all of which sell out quickly via Sony Store Japan.
Rather than being a one-off novelty, aibo remains a steady performer in Japan, underscored by Sony’s introduction of programs like the “Aibo Foster Parent Program” in September 2023. Owners who let their cloud plans lapse can donate their ERS‑1000 units to nursing homes or medical facilities, reflecting Sony’s strategy to keep aibo in use—and visible—far beyond consumer homes.
The frequent release of Japan-exclusive color variants and active community events (like the aibo Fan Meeting Vol.18) further reinforce aibo’s role as a tech-cultural icon in Japan.
Market Outlook & Sony Support: No new hardware upgrade since 2018—yet Sony focuses on software and service enhancements, maintaining strong local commitment. Japan remains the primary market, with ongoing investment through special editions and repurposing initiatives. Sales volumes likely match or exceed historic figures (i.e., around 150,000+ units sold over several years).
Sales in Japan: Robust and steady, driven by enthusiastic demand and annual limited editions. Community & culture: Strong domestic fanbase, Sony invests in sustaining and showcasing aibo via events and repurposing programs. Japan is Sony’s core aibo market—support remains high, even without new hardware models.
United States were strong during the 2018 launch, especially the First Litter Edition, which sold out. While the market is more niche compared to Japan, a dedicated fanbase continues to support the product.
Launched in September 2018 as the "First Litter Edition" for $2,899; sold out quickly. Sony still sells ERS‑1000 globally only through U.S. and Japan channels—special edition colors still released yearly (e.g., Kinako in Jan 2024). The product still appears on official Sony stores in both countries, and the community confirms new units and promos continue into early 2025. Support and cloud services are expected to continue for at least 3 years beyond purchase—making it safe to buy now with ongoing updates.
Cloud Subscription Needed – To unlock full features (personality growth, app control, etc.), you’ll need to activate the My aibo Cloud Plan, which usually requires a Japanese or U.S. account and valid payment method.
Language Settings – Japanese versions are usually locked to Japanese unless you subscribe to the cloud plan and switch region.
Warranty & Repairs – Service centers only exist in Japan and the U.S.. If something breaks, you may need to ship it back to those countries.
Accessories – Accessories like charging station, pink ball, and bone toy are often sold separately. Make sure they’re included or order them in advance.
If you're not in Japan or the U.S., the safest method is: Buy from us.aibo.com using a U.S. mail forwarding service like Stackry or Shipito OR use a Japanese proxy (ZenMarket, Buyee) to buy and forward from Japan.
· Available Directly: Only in Japan and the U.S. via us.aibo.com and store.sony.jp/aibo
· Price: Around $2,899 USD, including a 3-year cloud plan
· For Other Countries: Buyers must import using proxy or forwarding services (e.g., Buyee, From Japan, Shipito)
Note: Without a valid Japanese or U.S. cloud plan, aibo loses many features, including personality development.
Sony has hinted at expanding aibo's utility beyond companionship, potentially into home assistant roles using its camera and voice interaction capabilities.
Unitree Robotics – GO1 & B1. Country: China. Type: Quadruped robot (dog-like, but more functional than emotional). Strengths: Agile, fast movement (can jog, jump, follow humans). Advanced sensors (LIDAR, AI vision, tracking). Open-source development for researchers.
Kiki by Zoetic AI. Country: U.S. Type: Stationary pet-like robot with animated face. Strengths: Builds a bond using deep learning AI. Facial recognition and evolving personality. Customizable voice and emotion
Moxie by Embodied. Country: U.S. Type: AI companion for children (education-focused). Strengths: Advanced conversational AI. Facial expressions and social-emotional learning. Focused on child development
Tombot – Robotic Therapy Dog. Country: U.S. Type: Lifelike plush dog with limited mobility. Strengths: Designed for elderly and Alzheimer’s patients. Realistic fur and movements. Emotionally calming
Loona by KEYi Tech - Country: China Type: Smart pet robot. Strengths: Expressive animated eyes. Touch sensors, voice interaction. Small and playful behavior (e.g., responds to ball)
Sony aibo has no true direct competitor that offers its blend of mobility, AI learning, emotional bonding, and pet-like behavior. While there are partial competitors—like Unitree for mobility, Kiki or Loona for emotion, or Tombot for therapy—none combine it all the way aibo does.
Sony aibo is more than a gadget—it's a living robot companion that blurs the line between technology and emotion. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a lonely senior, or a futuristic pet lover, aibo offers a unique blend of interactivity, charm, and intelligence unmatched by its rivals.
While its premium price and limited global support pose barriers, aibo’s loyal community and strong presence in Japan suggest it’s here to stay—and may very well define the future of emotional robotics.
If you're seeking an engaging, smart, emotionally responsive robotic companion and are okay with the investment and cloud dependency, aibo ERS‑1000 remains one of the most advanced robotic pets available. Its charming interaction, unique behavior personalization, and frequent color/life edition releases give it enduring appeal.
