TECH: Sony's Robot Dog Ver. 4.0

From: J. R. Molloy (jr@shasta.com)
Date: Sat Dec 08 2001 - 07:50:39 MST


"A dog's life"

We have looked at Sony's Aibo twice before and have been impressed each time.
Aibo is a robot that can respond to commands, interact with its environment
and develop a limited personality based on its experiences.
Sony has now released its fourth version, the ERS-220, which will be sold
alongside the second-generation Aibo, the ERS-210.

Much remains the same, although the creature looks more like a futuristic
cyber dog this time around, abandoning the cat-like looks of the 210.

It also seems to move around a lot more confidently. The motors have been
improved, although overall it has fewer joints (referred to by Sony as
'degrees of freedom'). This is because it lacks a tail, and there's no mouth
to open and close.

Full Text:
http://www.vnunet.com/Products/Hardware/1127386

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Useless hypotheses, etc.:
 consciousness, phlogiston, philosophy, vitalism, mind, free will, qualia,
analog computing, cultural relativism, GAC, Cyc, Eliza, cryonics, individual
uniqueness, ego, human values, scientific relinquishment, malevolent AI,
non-sensory experience, SETI

We move into a better future in proportion as science displaces superstition.



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