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.