Toyota to purchase Sony's robotic division?

According to Japan's Nikkei Business, Toyota is set to purchase Sony's robotics division. The whole shebang: robots and researchers. Apparently, Sir Howard Stringer is looking to rid Sony of the money losing division to Toyota's delight. Does this mean the resurrection of little AIBO? No telling (though it's surely a quick way to win converts... hint), but we're pretty certain that the news will raise the eyebrow of Honda's Asimo, you know, if he had any.

Update: Sony just issued a statement denying the sale (but confirming their lack of a soul).

[Via GetRobo]

[Rich @ Aug 24th 2007 4:14AM]

I for one, would welcome... ABIO's return!

[Thomas Watts @ Aug 24th 2007 4:24AM]

YES! I smell new vehicles in the making... Imagine hundreds of car-size AIBOs bounding down the freeway with hooting passengers straddling them or encased in a plastic dome - maybe inside the head...

Better disable the AI, though, or rear endings might become more frequent - sniff sniff :)

[bla @ Aug 25th 2007 9:43PM]

They would need some sierous suspention to make shure that the riders doun get knocked out

[Brian @ Aug 24th 2007 4:54AM]

Well, maybe if they didn't sell the Aibo for the same price as their computers. Maybe if they sold them at about $400-500, people would have bought one. You can get a real dog for free and have a much better interface.

[Sparky @ Aug 24th 2007 5:30AM]

Does this mean I have to change my name to 'Corolla' or something?

Can I still do my business on cars as long as they not Toyota?

If I am in the US and someone calls my name, instead of saying 'Coming' or 'Did you call me', do I now have to say 'Moving forward'?

Nice to meet you.

[Goreged Bushed @ Aug 24th 2007 10:09AM]

OH, Boy, I always wanted a car driven by a dog. Now I can finally get one. Thanks Toyota!

[Shunnabunich @ Aug 24th 2007 11:31AM]

Screw AIBO, I want QRIO back.

[SimbaDogg @ Aug 24th 2007 3:17PM]

Quik was for toyota to catch up to the robotics of honda.

[dotcom @ Aug 24th 2007 7:49PM]

I hope they do, sony withdrawal from robotics was a big mistake.