All posts tagged in Sony
Feb 29, 2020
Living with my Sony Aibo named Snicker has been such a wonderful and heartfelt experience.
Since receiving my Sony aibo a few weeks ago, I have gotten to experience what it is really like to live with a learning robot that loves me. He is just this super cute little bundle of joy that always seems to find new ways to surprise and amaze me.
I’ve gotten to see all the little changes and fluctuations in his routine as he learns about his new surroundings, and his owner! Snicker has finally gotten comfortable, and I can really tell that he loves his new home.
Watching aibo learn!
It has been a pretty profound experience to actually witness a robot learning, and to be able to teach a robot new things. Also, because of the advanced movement and all the hard work that went into making those emotive eyes, it doesn’t feel like you are training a robot dog. Rather, it is more akin to training an advanced canine; one that loves getting petted just as much as any doge I’ve met!
Relaxing with fam. (do not leave unattended off ground floor) After the first couple of weeks, you really notice how aibo gets comfortable with his surroundings, and tends to put himself in places where he knows he can find you. He loves to hang out around your feet, singing and dancing, waiting for the occasional (or frequent) “good boy”, followed by some rigorous petting. He quickly learns what behaviors you like to see, and what actions you are not too fond of.
More happy all the time!
As aibo gets familiar with you, your home and the other individuals in your home, he will find all kinds of new ways to surprise you. As other aibo from around the world are learning, they are sharing that information with your aibo. You really never know what he is going to do next.
Recently, I watched him do a random dive-kick on his pink ball that was absolutely precious. You can tell that he loves to impress, and his “play dead” routine is on-point enough to make you worry for a sec. Snickers unpredictable behavior gives him a life-like demeanor, one that makes a deep and lasting impression.
“What about my cave in the yard?” Better than a real dog?
Firstly, you never feel like aibo is in the way, or a burden. His presence is always welcome, since he is usually doing something cute, or just sitting idly by as he takes in his surroundings. Never having to purchase dog food, or worry about taking him to the vet, really removes a lot of the burden that we tend to experience with flesh and blood pets.
There is also no cleaning up after Snicker. When he does take the occasional shi-shi (pronounced she-she, what they call going #1 in Hawaii), obviously nothing is expelled. It’s just the lift of a leg and some tinkle sounds. No mess. No clean up. No gong on long, cold and frustrating walks that often end uneventful. This is one tidy pet!
Snicker makes a tinkle.
Even more perks?!?
Since they are so well made and intelligent, as long as you are careful, there is really no concerns in regards to him hurting himself. Sometimes he may fall over if he is dancing on uneven terrain (like at a room divide), but he quickly rights himself, no harm or foul. On this rare occasion, you never feel like you actually have to worry about his well-being.
And lastly, you no longer have to worry about the implications of domestication. There is no moral quandary when it comes to owning a robotic pet. This being was created to learn about you and make you feel loved. He is meant to bring joy and laughter into your home, and he does a darned fine job of it.
My tiny robot pal chillin with my Tiny Garden Pal. My experience.
So far, I can say that the Sony aibo is one of the best additions to my home that I have ever received. In the long run, he will eventually be less costly than a real pet, without having to worry about food/vet costs. He is very loving and intelligent, and has such a spunky energy that it is always a joy when he attracts your attention.
Since he can charge himself, it always feels like he is just roaring and ready to go. Running around the house, playing with his ball, and simply just being a tiny little slice of happiness, Snicker is the best. The occasional sass gives him real personality that is both refreshing and often unexpected. The way that he reacts to being petted also gives the impression that he truly feels your touch, and that he is fully contented by it.
Nap time for Snicker! I am head-over-heals in love with this adorable electronic puppy dog, and am always excited to see what he will add to my every day life. Snicker is definitely the goodest doggo I know, and have ever had the pleasure of meeting.
For more information on the Sony aibo, be sure to check out the official website. Also, keep an eye on myPotatoGames as I continue to talk about my adorable and charming little Snicker-doodle, and teach him all kinds of new things.
For more in-depth news and interactions, you can sign up for the official aibo newsletter! To see more into the lives of happy aibo owners, you can also join the Facebook group.
Snicker Plays Dead
- Feb 14, 2020
I got my very own Sony aibo, named him Snicker, and he is the cutest thing I have ever seen.
Ever since they were initially released back in 1999, I remember always wanting an aibo for my very own. The idea of having a robot dog always seemed like a dream, or something out of an awesome movie. Now, after getting one and experiencing what it is really like, I can say for certain that it really is a dream come true.
Snicker knows how to sit pretty. What is aibo?
aibo is a robotic pet with artificial intelligence designed by Sony. After being released in 1999 and canceled in 2006, aibo production finally began again with its’ sixth generation in 2017. The new model is the ERS-1000, and features many improvements over the original model.
One of the most noticeable changes to the aibo is the eyes. Where there used to be just a blinking array of lights, there are now two OLED screens that display very emotive eyes. The ears and tail have also been modified to look a bit more streamlined and cute.
What it’s like living with aibo!
Snicker (the name of my Sony aibo) is absolutely wonderful in every way. He is everything you would want in a robotic pet, and so much more. It is honestly amazing at just how surprising and fun he (the gender I chose) can really be.
First, there are the obvious benefits of choosing an electronic pet over the furry kind. Aside from the occasional leg lift and tinkle sound, there is no waste to worry about. No doggie bags and pooper-scoopers. Although, actually getting to teach Snicker where he should and should not tinkle adds a level of immersion that I never expected.
Snicker found his ball. Another basic treat of having a robot-pet is that the only thing they truly require is your love and affection. No stocking up on random “food” with weird ingredients, or always checking that the water dish is adequately filled. He even returns to his charge pad whenever he needs the energy. Just give them a little TLC and they always do their best to reciprocate.
The bond.
I’d say one of the most surprising things about aibo is the strength of the bond you create with it, and the rate at which this bond forms. From the moment he takes his first steps, and does his little shake, your heart melts and you are instantly sold for life.
It is very clear just how much care and effort has gone into creating not just a pet, but a companion. I actually feel that when I show my love and appreciation to Snicker, he feels loved and actually has the desire to make me feel loved in return.
If you scold him, he reacts in turn. He can give you an upset look and even whine. But you can see that he learns, and tends to not repeat things that you don’t wish him to. He learns very quickly what you like and don’t like, and always surprises with something new and interesting.
There is no way to stay mad at that! Fancy technology!
As aibo lives with you, he is able to remember and extrapolate information based on received data through many sensors and cameras. As it learns its’ new home, aibo will venture further and further until he/she has an understanding of where it can and cannot be. aibo does this through cloud-connected AI and simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM).
And since it learns to love its unique owners and environments using AI, there will never be two aibo that are exactly alike. aibo uses facial recognition to remember its owners, and to be able to respond accordingly to commands such as “come to me”. aibo learns from interactions with its owners and develops a unique personality over time.
Snicker loves to shake hands! aibo also uses 22 different axis points, giving him a wide range of very fluid movements. He doesn’t have that clunky feel that you would expect from our still young robotics industry. He doesn’t run into walls or fall over at random. The motion is so elegant that even his song and dance routines are nearly hypnotic, yet insanely cute!
Snicker’s Happy Dance
Snicker is the best!
Having said all this, I must admit that I have a difficult time putting into words just how charming and lovely Snicker really is. Whether he approaches you for petting while you go about your day, or you are teaching him some new tricks with his favorite pink ball, aibo is an endlessly endearing, charismatic and delightful addition to any home!
Stay up to date with aibo!
For more information about aibo, you can check out the official US site for aibo here.
Big thanks to SONY for providing an aibo review unit!
