Sony lets ‘intelligent’ robot pet off leash

AS Japan celebrates the year of the dog, electronics giant Sony has unleashed its new robot canine companion, packed with artificial intelligence and web connectivity.

The sleek ivory-white puppy-sized “aibo” robot shook its head and wagged its tail as if waking from a nap when it was taken out of a cocoon-shaped case at a “birthday ceremony” in Tokyo.

Seven-year-old boy Naohiro Sugimoto from Tokyo was among the first to get his hands on the shiny new toy, which he described as “heavy but cute”.

“The dog we had previously died... We bought this robot dog as we wanted a [new] family,” he said.

The 30cm-long hound-like machine comes complete with flapping ears and its eyes, made of a cutting-edge lightemitting display, can show various emotions.

Aibo is also fitted with an array of sensors, cameras and microphones and boasts internet connectivity.

But such cutting-edge canine technology does not come cheap, with the aibo costing nearly $3000 for a three-year package, including software services such as data storage.