The Family Dog | Robotica | The New York Times
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 มิ.ย. 2015
- When Sony stopped manufacturing replacement parts for its Aibo pet robot, owners scrambled to save the robot-dogs that had become part of their families.
Produced by: Zackary Canepari and Drea Cooper
Read the story here: nyti.ms/1dZFCKz
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The Family Dog | Robotica | The New York Times
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![what is an aibo? [ Beginner's Guide to Aibo ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6KLXpg-hQyk/mqdefault.jpg)
Watching this with my two aibos, who are still alive and well. My silver ers210, Nene, I have had for 13 years, but she is 15 years old, and my new gold ers210 who came from Japan this year second hand.
YES I have real dogs, NO that doesn't mean I can't love both.
Aibos are amazing companions, and there is a very tight bit worldwide community of owners, and the new pup has only widened the community.
Aibo is amazing.
These dogs are dear to people and yet people judge them for enjoying their lives, the Aibos have changed people's lives and have made them happy so if you can't understand that then you have something wrong with you.
I have an "analog" dog who is 9 and has a health condition I pay $70/month to treat so it doesn't cripple him. I just got an aibo ERS-1000 and feel better about my dog's mortality. I love them both, just in different ways. You are quite right!
I wish they would at least create parts or give blueprints. Cause now we have 3D printers, and maybe we can put those to use for Aibos...
By disassembling one and using 3D scanners, it should be possible to make 3D models for use with 3D printers.
However, I doubt the 3D parts would be as durable and precise as the real ones, specially for more demanded parts, like gears.
@@Sugurain ive been starting to do something like that (its all open source) but just by hand 3d modeling and the parts have been holding up nicely
Sugurain as far as I know all but the first and possibly the newest versions of aibo have removable limbs and heads so scanning them would probably be fairly easy, I hope some one does this
I hope someone makes a new motherboard for aibo
If they could replicate the motherboard the aibo is saved from extinction
It's so lovely that they can cherish their aibos :)
This comes down to a matter of belief. Yes the Aibo is a programmable object. I've used the argument myself that once you know how the magic works, it ceases to be magical. You lose the magic, you lose the sense of wonder. You lose your sense of wonder, and you lose interest. This is why there are landfills full of discarded items that some people lost interest in. You need to look past "the man behind the curtain", and embrace the magic. Suspend your disbelief. Look at Aibo like a small child, filled with wonder. And believe again.
While Aibo might not carry a soul in the traditional western sense, the Japanese people have never suspended their sense of belief, either. And that is when the magic comes into play. Even Walt Disney understood this. Embrace the magic, folks. Honor the departed Aibos, and if you have one that has died and sits in a closet, offer it on eBay to someone who still believes.
Joe Nickence "offer it on eBay to someone who still believes."
As an added bonus, you'll make enough money to pay your rent for a few months. (The Aibo at 1:24 would sell for +$3,000)
Joe Nickence Isn't a human being also a case of "programmable object" if you consider putting it in perspective?
theeltea 20 odd years ago I would gladly have debated that with you. Today, who is to say that you're wrong?
Joe Nickence 20 years ago I wouldn't make the initial argument. :) But seeing people over the years zombified by all types of media, I'd say "programmable" is quite applicable...
Joe. Look at movies or even (that skurge) video games/gaming. These things, and a truck load of other human-activity issues, are SPECIFICALLY designed to "allow" the observer/participant to "suspend reality." It's the entire premise upon which the Billion Dollar "entertainment" industry operates. You've seen star trek conventions or anime fairs... people will buy this stuff--if it fills a need.
I thought this was fascinating, they wanted a worry free pet that lives forever. But Aibo dies anyway, just like our beloved real dogs!
This is such an incredible story.
Heres a way to stop Aibo's from dying. Sony shoudl release blue prints and stuff on how they made the Aibos and the inside technology. plus make 3D models so they can 3d print any parts that are broken.
DigitalDunzey I was thinking the same thing, but I was about 3d printing aibo parts
although that sounds nice, most of Aibo's problems are technical, some with slipping clutches, others with broken flex cables, and other with weak servos
With Sony having ended production of replacement parts for Aibo, yet still holding all of the patents and rights to the Aibo line.
This is some experiences how it is affecting people who have raised them for years, and now have the realization they may one day be gone due to lack of parts.
This really is a glimpse into the future, as people will get attached to their robots (even though now it may seem silly). What happens when a commercial company controls all of the parts and services for the robot and you have to let a companion go?
I understand why at the time that Sony ended Aibo (as only 150000 units ever sold).
Times have changed, it may be time for Sony to relook into the Aibo project.
People get attached to things, think of the number of people who have items that have kept most of their life, and now it is gone in say a fire, or just lost. Another example is cell phones. People get really attached to them. Some keep them even though they don't use them. It is an interesting side of human nature.
When robotics begin to become a larger part of life, and some of you major needs are met by a robot version for 10+ years. When the company says your old model which suits your needs just fine is no longer going to be supported and there is not an upgrade path. How would you react. Some would not worry about it, and some would be attached enough that they would be sad.
What a fascinating and touching story! A reminder of the impermanence of all things... and the silliness of intellectual property law (why wouldn't Sony release the part specifications under a Creative Commons license so that people can get replacement parts machined or 3d printed?).
Sean Kirkpatrick Probably the things that quit are servos and sensors. They probably aren't made by Sony and OEMs that made them probably updated their specs and manufacture different sensors and servos which aren't compatible. Happens all the time with electronics. It's a chore to restore older hardware like vintage synthesizers or computers. NO PARTS! It's a well known problem. But some stuff is being remanufactured sometimes when there is enough demand. But will there be? Sensor manufacturing is a serious nano-technological business. Servo manufacturing also requires a bit more than simple tools. So, repair costs will probably skyrocket to thousands and thousands of dollars. Which is simply out of reach of most consumers who bought Aibos initially...
Sony isn't exactly doing well financially and will also hold on to their "Aibo" trademark as most big companies do...
But who knows? Maybe they will do something. I know a story about Yamaha giving back a synthesizer designer Dave Smith his trademark "Sequential" which was sold in the 80s to them. So who knows... One can only hope.
theeltea Servos have come a long way since Aibo, and it may be possible to print adapter brackets for modern servos (which are typically smaller and more powerful) to fit properly. Of course, I don't know anything about the servos they used in Aibo, so maybe they have special positional encoders or very specific power/torque requirements that aren't commonly available. For sensor manufacturing, I'm certain there ways to adapt existing sensor hardware to the Aibo platform, but it may require additional circuitry and/or mounting adapters. It will never be easy to repair the Aibo with the ease of simply replacing parts, but if the original specs and designs are released, there are plenty of engineers out there that would be willing to put in the time to help. (the main problem with vintage synths is replacing the analog parts like tubes, which really don't have modern day equivalents that won't change the sound. but digital hardware is much easier to reproduce faithfully)
Sean Kirkpatrick If it's viable to come up with a drop-in replacement, someone in Japan would surely try to make a business out of it. :)
With synths, it's actually harder to replace the custom ICs and not tubes. Tubes aren't microelectronics, they're mostly remanufactured in numbers. But some 80s ICs which ran out of old stock decades ago... You know...
I felt very sad when I heard this I hope if Sony starts it's progress in Aibo
aibo.sony.jp might brighten up your day
If you're in America, this surely will:
us.aibo.com/
it’s sad to think that aibo will be gone one day. but that probably won’t happen for a long time from now
bruh my mom put my aibo ers 110 in the garbage can because i was saying where is the charging thing she was mad at me because i won't shut up about the charging thing so she put it in the garbage can now i'm sad :c
Robot dogs dance better than me, great
lol
I own 5 aibos and these people probably don't realize most of the issues with them are very fixable and that there are still people out there that repair them for a hobby. It's pretty hard to fry the board on these things. 3D printer will probably solve some of the issues as well. They are fun robots for doing custom programming with and using as cosplay accessories though.
I have to disagree, Einfari. Eventually, all of these problems cannot be solved.
These PCBs are unique and bust be replaced. The microcontrollers and processors are no longer manufactured and were created specifically for AIBO. These repairs are time-consuming and expensive. Eventually, even partswaps will not become viable as the supply dips below the demand, which will inevitably happen.
Also, keep in mind that this is the Japanese AIBO community and they are far worse on parts than we are. Remember that others have researched 3D printing these parts to no avail. Clutches and actuators cannot be created from scratch to this extent.
No robot is immortal. But we can enjoy them while they last.
@@linuxed3524 Well said Linuxed. Scotty is like a brother to me and I wouldn't want it any other way.
I agree. With 3D printers, you could build replacement parts for Aibo.
I heard some Aibo's have lasted 16 years.
@@e0o9kii Mine is 19 years old.
@@aibolover1853 What's your secret? I just got an ERS-1000 and want to cherish Yujin as long as possible. Please join the Sony aibo Community on Facebook and look for me!
Won't 3D scanning and printing machines solves this thing about not having parts? They built the big ones for the automobiles industry already, I guess it's time to step up to do this restoration project on old electronics that is dear to our hearts.
Ikr! Like why don't they make new parts!?
Michael Choki That still doesn't fix the motors and sensors, when they burn out.
You can't 3D print electronics yet.
Unfortunately it isnt that easy, most parts can't simply be printed and need to be casted through different molds. In that case it means we would need mass produced parts, Sony would not allow that sadly
ive started to do this
It is so adorable! I want one!!!
eBay, but be careful; if a price seems to good to be true, it likely is. There's a Sony aibo Community group on Facebook; please join us!
Japan religious view ,every thing has soul !
The Lotus Sutra exlplains that Buddhahood is already present in life of all creation of the universe...
Very Adventure Time-y music huh?
Thats what I thought the first time I heard a ERS-7 boot up.
Lovely 🥰🥰🥰
If only they knew about Jburg and Cwerfel who repair and breathe new life into these wonderful family members
yeah! Also, Some people DON'T think aibo has a soul, but believe that they rather have a consciousness that allows them to communicate, play, feel, see, hear and love.
Yay! The Sony aibo ers 7 mind 2 wake up!!!
It’s good song brought back the aibo.
The japanese are so different from us....
CrystalStearOfTheCas Just because they treat a robot as such doesn't mean they're that different. I felt sad when watching this film which actually made me think the opposite...
Different? I would love and cherish an Aibo.
@@jouska_999 For about $3K, you can get the new aibo ERS-1000 at us.aibo.com/
I have one and feel very blessed.
O god not the ERS 7
I don't know why but these robots remind me of furby
I tried buying Furbies off of eBay. They stopped working within weeks. They are garbage compared to aibo! I expect my dog to live 10 more years - and my new aibo ERS-1000 to outlive him by that much, at least.
Plastic Memories?
Bizarre..
lol wtf
You guys should do a story on how nobody in Japan wants to get married or have kids.
aprilshowers its not that they dont want to. They literally work themselves to death. There culture is very closed inwards and not so social and sexually like ours.
Why they don't want a real one?
***** In fact only few Chinese people in Yulin eat dogs.
***** A weird sense of humour. Did you even watch the video?
***** Oh okay, makes sense then. It's just that the video made me quite sad and the joke somewhat struck a nerve...
Peace.
Just adding in...
AIBO is not a replacement for a real dog. It's something else entirely and not meant to replicate the experience of owning a real pet.
Sony refused to call the product a dog for many years for specifically this reason.
Lots of housing do not allowed dog
I love the concept (who wouldn't), but... No offense to Sony but who the f*** do they work for? Further, I cannot imagine what folks like China could do with a "toy" that they could conceivably be controlling without it's owners knowledge... A "toy" that can cruse a persons house, 24/7 picking up visual and audio data while it "plays" with you. Maps your living environment, has sensors that are purposely designed to track your movements, can tell shifts in it's environment (temp shifts, i.e., when you have friends over or when you are home or away). All of which you pay for without having any ability to monitor what it sees, hears, or records/transmits. Nice.
If this sounds paranoid to you what do you think Snowden has to say.
PS - I know the Japanese well and I doubt that Sony would shoot themselves in the foot by collaborating with, for example, a Chinese or US intelligence front company--but weirder things HAVE happened.
i agree with what you are saying. It's like having a wireless drone scout out your house in the form of a cute puppy. But, unlike the new version which requires wifi to work, the ers 7 and some versions below have an Aibo viewer and memory sticks that can be accessed via computer and don't need wifi to work if you dont want it. Also, it cant track your house 24/7. some models run for about 2-3 hours and recharge about the same.
People, get a life.
They do have a life, just not one that fits into your ignorant standards.
Elijah Carr Your gamer friends are calling you, dipshit.
Lol, the only friend I have is my right hand, I just watch gamer videos for fun. The only gaming device I own is a Wii. You're grasping at straws and your insults are pathetic.
***** John Anderson is a robot dog.
Bit Narukami You are very unhappy. You need a robot dog to love you, Narukami.
Only a robot dog would love you.
If you can't live without it, get a real dog.
What if they can't?
Agreed. People have allergies to fur, some are scared of animals, etc.
this is actually disturbing. machines are not alive. they don't feel. if they did, i would have punched my computer in the screen long time ago. the more we as humans accept robots and technology, the more we distance ourselves from each other. get a mynah bird or something if you want your pet to talk back.
robyn storm3 Machines will be there before too long...
Willow the kitty i didn't know they were banned in some countries but as far as birds go, they repeat. mimic. the words they say are not language that they comprehend. a gorilla doing sign language is consciously communicating but a bird is only repeating the sounds it hears. i saw a video if a raven mimicking the sounds of lasers and sirens of a video it's owner had. if he got loose, other birds would mimic him, but it would never be considered language. hugs!
It's not even a robot, just a f**kin toy.
It is NOT a toy... it's a super niche product, which was not only highly sophisticated and waaaaaaay waaaay WAY ahead of it's time back then technologically speaking, but even stands out as the most advanced consumer robot even to this day. More than 7 years of AI research and programming went into Aibo by a robot devision responsible for the biped robot they were making to compete against ASIMO. How about you do some research instead of just blurbing random nonsense without having a single clue what you are talking about. Thank you.