Curiosity killed the Aibo: Sony gives robots metabrains?

Sony researchers claim to have developed an open-ended learning system for the Aibo, such that the canine robot could be said to exhibit "curiosity." Endowed with the new software, the Aibos have demonstrated the ability to teach themselves new functions that had not been specifically programmed. Researchers are calling the algorithm a sort of "metabrain" that gives the mechanical dogs a self-awareness of their own learning system, such that the robots would seek new and more challenging tasks after having mastered initial, smaller tasks. No telling when this technology might make its way into commercial units but damn, no wonder kids are, like, totally over real pets.

[console skeptic @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

one of ABCs (i think ) newsmagazines did a little story on a dude who invested emotianlly into his AIBO..to the point where he became like "an old cat lady". this guy had TOMES of photo albums dedicated to his AIBO...and then it "died", poor dude even cried while he was being interviewed.

also, anyone familiar with THE KIDS IN THE HALL
knows that troupe member Scott T. bought an AIBO while filming a reunion documentary DVD
and started treating the thing like a real animal (much to the chagrin of fellow KITH alums). he even made it the focus of one of Scott's "buddy" monolouges.

my point? dont have one really, i just think it's interesting how tech companies are actively encouraging us to be emotianlly attached to thier products, and im glad its being documented.

im going to go watch CHERRY 2000 now.

[matt @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

ummmm curiosity. Doesn't sony read curious george. ummmm Iw onder whats in the pot thats boiling water. How does that box make food so fast maybe i will go inside of it. UMmmm why do the humans thorow their dirty landrey in this other box let me go in to see if i can get clean. This is a technological achievement but sony please don't make the aibos stupid becasue of curiosity.

[Ben @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Kinda reminds me of the movie i, Robot. Sort of scary thought in my opinion.

[Jonathan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Uh, anyone seen ever heard of "I, Robot"??

[Cullen @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

yeah. the _movie_ i robot.

you people should be fucking ashamed.

[yongfook @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I was lucky enough to attend a CSL open house event in Japan recently and this exact technology was being demonstrated. An AIBO would literally sit for hours trying all sorts of combinations of movement to get itself closer to a bright pink ball. Not because it had been programmed to "go to the ball", but merely because it was "interested" in the ball. It was literally teaching itself to walk as time went on. Very cool. After about 4 hours it had worked out an efficient manner of walking (crawling, really), that would allow it to move closer to the ball and track it's movement should someone put the ball in a different place.

[David G. Hong @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

One thing is for sure as an AI and Robotics enthusiast. Sooner or later, we will see Robots out on our streets. Whether they'd be as smart and human-like as in 'I, Robot' or just a functional robot that picks up rubbish.

Recently, Korean govenment has signed an agreement of somesort with major Tech departments in Korea, to have robots out on the streets by 2010. Similarly for Japan, Honda wanted their robots to be helping elderly people by 2010.

Can you wait till 2020? AMD-128 FX99 with PCieX 256x speed?

[Galley @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I'm still patiently waiting for a "Catbo".

[Eric @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

And the annihilation begins...

[Skynet @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I would like to be the first to welcome our new robot dog overlords. Hail fido!

[Cyberdude @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Those things better not play Halo 2 or earth will be destroied!!!!! bad people can teach these dogs bad tricks and then the dogs will make other evil dogs and then no humans

[catlover @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I love dogs. I love cats too. I would really like to have a pet, but I can't - I'm allergic to both these animals (indeed, I had a heart attack at 16 which was caused by a cat eating in my bowl of ice cream) - and small pets aren't as affectionate. So, I think that a curious Aibo (or Catbo :)) is a wonderful idea if Sony avoids anything that would transform this pet robot into an "I, Robot" actor.

[Helo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Isn't this how Terminator started? I want one of these but not until they can run and climb up steps instead of shuffling around slowly.

[Bart @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

hhhmmmmm ya

[Bart @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

hhhmmmmm ya

[Nick Bertke @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Why doesn't Aibo do anything usefull? Can you just imagine Sony's income if Aibo did something constructive for a change?! I'd be willing to spend $3000AUD on an Aibo that:

1. Fetches anything (of adequete size) that I point to
2. Can store things and walk around with me as fast as I can
3. Can recognize words and tell me the news from the newspaper
4. Can change the channel on my HiFi on command
5. Can climb up on to things like a couch, bed, maybe even a counter if given a stool
6. Can bark when it detects ultra-low frequencies of audio (usefull for when someone pulls up on the driveway and I'm in the shower)
7. Used a Lithium-Cell battery which lasts for 2 years
8. Comes with a full on-board digital dictionary and spell-checker which I can use to look up words and get definitions for using only my voice
9. Comes with a detachable wireless microphone and an on-board speaker for when I wanna tell someone something on the other side of the house without getting off my ass
10. Can go start or shutdown my computer on command

The possiblities are practically endless. Why didn't Sony want to build a usefull robo dog? Until Aibo does something usefull, a $3000 robotic dog is for people who have mega cash to burn...