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Thursday, 8 November, 2001, 12:13 GMT
Dancing Aibo debuts
![]() The new Aibo has a more robotic look
Sony has launched the latest incarnation of its Aibo robotic pet.
This model has a more angular, robotic look than its predecessors, which Sony has tried to make as animal-like as possible. Owners can get a look at the world through the ERS-220's eyes using a separate add-on package that connects the robot to a PC via a radio link. The robot can even be made to dance along to music. The robot is due to go on sale in late November. Robot rover Ever since they were first unveiled in 1999, Sony's Aibo has been a big hit with gadget-lovers everywhere. Many spend hours playing with the robot or teaching it new tricks.
The robot looks slightly different to the earlier versions. It has an antenna in place of ears and a pop-up light on its head that springs up when the robo-dog sees or hears anything it likes. The robot can also recognise more spoken commands than its predecessors. Turbo-dog By contrast the generation of Aibos released before the ERS-220, called Latte and Macaron, were much more rounded and looked more like real animals. At the same time, Sony is releasing software packs that can change the temperament of the electronic pet. The Navigator 2 software pack lets owners see the world through the digital camera inside an Aibo's nose and lets the robot be controlled via a wireless data link at a distance of up to 90 metres (295 feet). The Explorer pack turbocharges the robot and makes it produce a stream of sounds and exaggerated movements. Europeans who want to snap up an ERS-220 can order them from 12 November for 1,800 euros (£1,105).
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