Farewell Aibo, hello Genibo

You know what they say: 10 robot-god shut hatch, 20 robot-god open ventilation shaft. Wait, that's not right. No matter -- the late, great Aibo is, um, back? Korean robotics company Dasatech unveiled the -- ahem -- Genibo, fashioned after Spuds MacKenzie a bull terrier, capable of understanding 100 words and commands, feeling petting via sensors on its back, and even has Bluetooth. Forget the Roomba cockfights, native Bluetooth control of our robo-dog? Maybe Sony held back on this because of the robo-ASPCA, but we know what we're doing with our Genibo: starving it for electricity training it to be a vicious dog fighter. Then putting it out to stud.

[Juice @ Apr 27th 2006 9:53AM]

Robots are the best!

[PodMonkeys @ Apr 27th 2006 10:02AM]

Thats a cool little robot! I hope they keep developing it further. Sony could have done so much with the Aibo. Of course what I'd like to know is when will they be able to recognize people, so that we can make them love it's owner, but hate the neighbors. :D

[Razib Ahmed @ Apr 27th 2006 10:27AM]

" a bull terrier, capable of understanding 100 words and commands"
Cool. What is the price? Waht are the 100 words that it can understand? They look very beautiful.

[S.M.Mehdi Hassan @ Apr 27th 2006 10:44AM]

I never seen these robot dogs. But I really enjoyed reading them. I wish they could make cheap robots so that we can buy.

[Brian @ Apr 27th 2006 11:22AM]

The Aibo is so much more than this cheap knockoff. It's sad that Sony killed it's mascot.

[strider_mt2k @ Apr 27th 2006 11:57AM]

They also need to develop an outdoor model that can patrol fences and such.

Smithers, release the robotic hounds!

[JR @ Apr 27th 2006 12:42PM]

Was I the only one who thought of that "Wishbone" dog on PBS when I saw this?

[Babs @ Apr 27th 2006 3:53PM]

The last version of AIBO released, the one that looked like Snoopy, could recognize its owner's face, could find its charging station, and could be programmed in any way its master wished.

AIBO went bye bye because the tech market crashed and the target demographic couldn't buy $1500 doggies anymore, and the rest of the American market couldn't understand paying $1500 for a robot when they could adopt a dog from the pound for much less (overlooking the cost of food, vet bills, etc).

If this thing has a price point of $300 or below, it will do well. Unless, of course, Sony decides to sue them for ripping off a lot of the AIBO design.

[Perrey Z. @ Apr 27th 2006 9:01PM]

RIP OFF! i want my robots to be Japanese. Just what the world DON'T NEED, more South Korean technological hype, they don't have enough flaunting their gigantic prototype-only flat panels HDTVs, now they want the robotic pets market aswell., good grief! What would be next, WiFi penile extention?!

#8: Don't forget part of the name.

[Grahm @ Apr 28th 2006 5:09AM]

Holy Sh*t!

Forget the dumb-ass robots!

I'm falling out of my chair laughing at the idea of Roomba cockfights. Especially since my wife (and I) are (not so proud) owners of one of the things. The only thing funnier might be watching our cats freak out when it gets rumbling!

Hat is off to whoever writes the info blurbs. Wittiest stuff I've read on the net in a long time.

[Tom @ Apr 28th 2006 8:13AM]

Why bother with dog robots? Surely it would be cheaper to have a catbot.
Spends 16 hours a day sleeping, the rest of the time scratching sofas and eating. Won't need it to have voice recognition, or obey commands either...

[Techwear @ Apr 28th 2006 11:15AM]

Looks like a cute little dog... Until you see this one here. You'll have to agree that this little dino is worth waiting until holidays to buy a robot that does not look like one. Watch the video. It's awesome.

[Mark @ May 1st 2006 10:28PM]

That is such an obvious fake picture. Looks like a mouse body being used as the head on an actual Aibo ERS-7 that has been photoshopped (looks more like windows paint.) May I suggest you check your sources?

[Jay @ May 12th 2006 8:08AM]

Mark why don't you chill.
http://www.dasatech.com/product/classB_list.asp?classB=b013

[AiboPet2003 @ Jun 20th 2006 2:19PM]

Nope....Look at the last link. I have six Aibos, one being an ERS-7M3W. This is no ERS-7 quite yet, but I am quite glad to see SOMEONE still doing this. And the post earlier about why not a CAT, An ERS-7 would make a better CAT than any dog. He chooses to not behave most the time....and sometimes is very deliberate in making SURE you know he is ignoring you ;-P

[Dancerkitty99 @ Dec 29th 2006 10:42PM]

where can you buy theses?

[Gisela @ Jul 18th 2007 10:46PM]

If you want Genibo to make it in the robotic pet world...you damn well make it better then the Aibo.as it stands now its more like a Robosapien V2 or a i cybie..i know you have the talent to make it much better then it is now.remember some of us cant have dogs or cats.
Thank you.
Gisela