Skateboarding AIBO 165
psyconaut writes "Sony continues it's line of robotic pets with a new accessory: a $249 skateboard! Why on earth you'd actually want your AIBO to zoom around on a skateboard is another question. The U.S. AIBO site has it here, but the thing looks more impressive on the Japanase AIBO site. Other new AIBO products also seem to include, FINALLY, a self charging station so AIBO can feed himself."
For the incredibly lazy (Score:4, Funny)
Re:For the incredibly lazy (Score:3, Funny)
This is even less effort involved than playing Tony Hawk! Now I can avoid that Tekken thumb I thought I was going to get around Christmas with THPS4...
Re:For the incredibly lazy (Score:1)
Re:For the incredibly lazy (Score:1)
Re:For the incredibly lazy (Score:2, Funny)
A bit expensive is n't it? (Score:1, Insightful)
Re:A bit expensive is n't it? (Score:1)
I'm going to keep my wallet pointed at the Panasonic 42in FlatPanel Plasma HDTV though. In the past year, the price has dropped from 1,200,000Y (~$9,800.00) to 690,000Y (~$5,700.00). Not only does it have the TV Tuner, but it also has a VGA/Serial input so your computer can display nifty stuff on it while you're not watching TV, like: Art, News and Stock prices, or most importantly, Quake 4 which will be out by the time I can afford it
Better not break it (Score:1)
Re:Better not break it (Score:1)
Don't look at it as extra expense, look at it as insurance against having your grand a piece technology stamped on by angry knicker-less dames!
Sony thinks of everything.
Skateboarding Aibo (Score:5, Funny)
Visit Richard Gere's Ass Zoo [lostbrain.com]
tcd004
Re:Skateboarding Aibo (Score:5, Funny)
Batteries not included.
nuclear power source provided (Score:1)
Batteries required for other features.
quote of the day (Score:2)
Too bad I used up all my mod points today, cause you'd have gotten them.
what I want to know is..... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:what I want to know is..... (Score:4, Funny)
--Joey
Re:what I want to know is..... (Score:3, Funny)
you've already got an AIBO (Score:1)
the geek mantra (Score:5, Insightful)
If there was ever a question to which "because you can" is the answer, this is it.
Idiocy accessorized (Score:4, Funny)
The incredible thing is, this stuff really does sell. Really. Someone liked this stuff enough to post this article. And here I'd thought we'd hit the price/value nadir back in the 70's with disco and the Pet Rock [virtualpet.com].
Re:Idiocy accessorized (Score:2)
Great... (Score:4, Funny)
How long before someone...
Re:Great... (Score:1)
Perhaps it already was modeled after him. [cowboyneal.org] It's already pretty "round"...
Re:Great... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Great... (Score:2, Funny)
Or gets a Billy Blanks endorsement and renames it tAibo.
Re:Great... (Score:1)
- Sets up shop as an Aibo Psychiatrist?
Not too long now, I reckon.
Re:Great... (Score:1)
One can observe the utter lack of a M$ reference, which might prevent this post from reaching +5.
But given the rest of the cliches are there, it still stands a pretty good chance.
that's just wrong (Score:2)
I'm sorry, but putting fake nuts on your dog so that it thinks it's still licking them is wrong.
Almost as bad as a skateboard riding robot pet... oh wait
i dont get it? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:i dont get it? (Score:3, Informative)
Not owning one, but I'll still have to say, I highly doubt it. I would think it requires different code of SOME sort. It ONLY propells itself with it's hind legs, and it ONLY controls direction with it's front. 4 legged animals use all four legs for all of that.
We humans control our motion AND direction with only 2 legs.
(no offence to those that may have a physical imperment, of course.)
Re:i dont get it? (Score:4, Funny)
We humans control our motion AND direction with only 2 legs.
Really? Damn! I knew I was doing something wrong...
Al.Chasing Cars (Score:5, Funny)
So it can finally chase cars, of course!
The only problem is the reaction of irate motorists being chased by an annoying, skateboarding robot-dog. Once they overcame their initial surprise, could they resist the temptation to brake and reverse?
Next up... (Score:3, Funny)
This temptation will only be exacerbated by the upcoming release of the electromagnetic 'poon, which the skater Aibo can use to CATCH cars.
Re:Next up... (Score:1)
I truely truely hope your interpretation of the word 'poon' differs from mine.
aaarrggh!!! get this robotic dog off my leg!!
Re:Next up... (Score:2)
I'm sure he got poon from the novel "Snow Crash", where skateboarding couriers used magnetic harpoons to latch on to cars.
But I'm pretty sure you knew that. I'm still wondering if you got your nick from liking to give hummers or get them...
What is it with the Japanese and robots? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:What is it with the Japanese and robots? (Score:2)
Actually, they already have [amazon.com].
Re:What is it with the Japanese and robots? (Score:1)
Re:What is it with the Japanese and robots? (Score:5, Interesting)
Seriously, why are the Japanese so obsessed with robots? Whenever there's a new robot toy that has no real practical purpose whatsoever, it's usually the Japanese who come up with it. Why?
Partly its a demonstration of technical supremacy by Japanese companies. Whatever else, AIBO is an amazing technological achievement and Sony want the World to know. Here in the UK, AIBO is heading a large Sony advertising campaign for everything from WEGA, to in-car-stereo to digital cameras.
Another part is that many Japanese cannot have pets - either because of rules in apartments, or that they simply work so long that they cannot care for animals. AIBO fulfills the need for companionship perfectly. He plays when you want to play, he goes to sleep at the touch of a button.
Finally, it seems that the Japanese have a much more ready acceptance of robots as being colleagues, pets or friends. They are willing to welcome them into society, whereas we in the West have been traditionally far more fearful of the implications of such technologies.
Mind you, when I've taken my AIBOs out on University outreach days, its been hard to contain the crush of people wanting to meet the robots - and not just children, adults of all ages are fascinated by them. Dogs and cats on the other hand are much less impressed.
Best wishes,
Mike.
Re:What is it with the Japanese and robots? (Score:2)
Anyway, a week later, I'll contribute that one reason that Japan has worked so hard on robotics is that for much of its post-war history, it has had a labor shortage (consider the size of its economy relative to the size of its population, and that becomes clear), and it doesn't have the room to invite immigrant populations into its small space. The two paths to keeping productivity up are moving production off-shore, and automating as much as possible. While there is plenty of the first strategy, there's a general distrust of the quality of products made outside of Japan, and a preference for the second.
Who actually has an AIBO? (Score:1, Interesting)
Just wait.... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Just wait.... (Score:5, Funny)
I didn't know the AIBO could reproduce. Can they? Did they get that upgrade?
Re:Just wait.... (Score:3, Funny)
2. cybersexxxx
3. PROFIT!
ffooosh! (Score:3, Funny)
Oh, just another robotic dog on a skateboard..
The Software... (Score:4, Interesting)
First of, I am simply unable to see who the buyers are... Is it just me, or do "real" geeks look down on this stuff? Then who's left? Tech-geeks? Probably kids with (too) rich parents... which leads me to the second thing I don't get: THE PRICE OF THE GODDAMN SOFTWARE!
It seems, that you can modify your small doggish robot with some software [sonystyle.com]... but the price is $ 449.00(!!) This puts it out of reach of most kids, as they wont be able to utilize it anyway. Maybe at a tenth of the price, the kids who get the robot in the first place can convince their parents to buy the software as well...
Hmm... anyone working on a open source program to replace the Sony stuff?
Ohh... and another thing: Sony should be ashamed of themselves for claiming that this is an example of AI! Really... the most advanced models (with the CPU clock speed of 384MHz) have only 75 responses. If it were to approach any kind of true AI, it seems to me that it would at the very least have to have a learning-routine and some storage (besides the 16 MB that can be used for stuff like storing snapshots...
Re:The Software... (Score:2)
Sorry, I'm in an hornery mood tonight.
Here's an idea (Score:2, Funny)
Or, if you just happen to own a surplus AH-64D you could stick your Aibo on top (careful it doesn't get chopped up by the main rotor!) - now your Aibo can fly!
graspee
uhhh (Score:2, Insightful)
The first question is, "why would you buy an Aibo in the first place?".
Re:uhhh (Score:1, Funny)
A skateboard ! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:A skateboard ! (Score:1)
Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:4, Insightful)
For the price of the skateboard, you could have everything taken care of, including shots, and for the price of an AIBO, you would have enough money to feed it for its lifetime.
Though they probably will never be able to skateboard, a warm, loving puppy with emotions and feelings will warm your heart in ways a cheesy, overpriced piece of plastic toy cannot.
We are losing our humanity with our silly toys, and we need to get back to real feelings of love and joy.
Many dogs aren't euthanized -- they are instead killed for sport by sadists who run the pound. Right now, there is a mistreated, lonely, and cold dog in your town's pound that is meant for you -- go out and adopt it.
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:1)
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:1)
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:2)
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:2)
And dogs provide home security, function as an organic garbage disposal, and of course there are those thrilling moments when your dog has gas. All tender moments of affection an Aibo owner will never know.
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:1)
Turn on the light, Kiva! Turn it on, go ahead! Goooooooooood
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:2)
Hey, what the hell am I doing on
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:1)
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:3, Insightful)
What sickens me is the people who do keep pets and then treat them poorly. And I don't mean not feeding them. I mean not paying attention to them. Keeping them in cramped quarters. Giving them nothing to do while the owner spends half their time at work and the other half their time at the club or on holiday.
A dog living in an apartment slowly goes insane. It's like shutting a human inside a broom closet. Even worse are the people who get active dogs - heelers and such - and then keep them cooped up inside small backyards. This is pure hell for a dog. They might as well tie the dog to a stake during the day and kick it when they get home.
Most people do not know how to look after a dog. I'm fully supportive of AIBO because it reduces the number of animals who have to suffer at the hands of inconsiderate idiots who wanted a "warm loving puppy" without considering the responsibilities that comes with a pet.
Re: Maltreated dogs (Score:2)
I stopped the car, grabbed it, and went on for the donuts. The pup was on the verge of starving to death. It had no fat on it whatsoever, and its belly was completely distended from worms. He would have only probably lived another three or four days under those conditions.
My wife and I took him in and got him all fixed up (food, water, shelter, shots, flea bath, dewormer, antibiotics, neutering, and lots of love and attention). He was obviously neglected, and for a few days he wasn't sure how to handle getting attention from humans.
The original owners, whoever they may be, are not getting this dog back. It could be the drug dealers who raise vicious dogs, or just an idiot who thought the dog was fat (from the worms), so should be put on a diet (not fed at all). I don't care.
In the former case, I hope the community pulls together to put an end to this activity. In the latter, the idiot should probably stick with an Aibo because that's about all s/he is smart enough to deal with. (And that's only if the Aibo is entirely capable of self-operation from the moment you open the box.)
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:2)
Next, he always has 1 or 2 dogs with him. They're the sweetest, nicest dogs I've ever met. He rescues them all. He's been known to walk into the back yards of drug dealers to get them.
Every single one is a pit bull. These "vicious dogs" have all come from extremely abusive backgrounds, yet all of them are nice and sweet.
I guess I have no point, I just think he deserves a little recognition. And people who are abusive to animals are fuckheads who need their asses kicked.
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:3, Insightful)
Pit Bulls are beautiful and very social animals which don't deserve the bad rap they've been given by the people who train and mistreat them to behave badly. Some of my favorite dogs in the neighborhood are gentle, tail-wagging, very obedient (even to me, and I'm not the owner of any of them) pit bulls.
The same goes for dogs in general, I think. Because any number of breeds can be very large and powerful, dogs are huge targets for abusive training.
I had a girlfriend once who was terrified of dogs because she'd come from a background in which she'd encountered a number of dogs who had been trained to be killers and fighters by people who were less-than-upstanding members of society. She'd escaped her ugly upbringing and made herself into a pretty, functional college girl, but she hated dogs as long as I was with her and couldn't even be in the same room even with my parents' Beagles when we went to visit without ending up in nervous tears.
I'm with you. I have no real point beyond proposing that the world is really pretty unfair to dogs.
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:1)
You've obviously never owned the hyperactive eating machine that is a Labrador Retriever....More like a crate or two of AIBOs
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:4, Informative)
A) Plan on adopting some rare breed that will only live for about a year.
B) Plan on practically starving the dog, ensuring that it won't last much more than 5 years or so (probably much less).
C) Plan on buying REALLY cheap dog food (~25/can if the dog lives to be 15 years old).
My mother-in-law has a dog, and given a 15-year lifespan, I estimate that she will have spent well over $20,000 feeding that idiotic mutt (nothing against dogs in general, just this particular one =) by the time it dies.
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:2)
--Joey
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:3, Funny)
I'm sure this feature will be available as a future firmware upgrade...
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:2, Insightful)
I don't know where you are from, but I seriously doubt that your pound is run by bloodsport dog-fighting crazies.
I agree, however, with you that people should adopt animals.
The real criminals here are pet stores, which keep the "puppy mills" in business. If you want a dog, get it from a breeder that lives with and loves their animals, or the pound. NEVER a pet store.
Actually, some dogs can skate (Score:1)
First there was the little bulldog from the Powell and Peralta video "Public Domain" and then much later there was Flower [boardpass.com], Matt Field's dog.
It might look like the dog is posing, but she can push and turn and actually skate down hills.
And since it's Slashdot I have to be picky and point out that the AIBO's skateboard has handle bars and is therefore some kind of scooter or hand-truck.
dear lord (Score:2)
Who says you can't own an AIBO *and* a real pet?
Give me a break!
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:2)
Re:Seriously, forget AIBO (Score:1)
So let me get this straight... you like her posts, think she's interesting, but you're scared to "associate" with her, in case some other people think you're a twat, because she has dodgy friends???
This is going to sound like a troll, but, stop being such a gosh-darn pussy!
Please.
You'll be doing yourself a favour.
Speaking of skateboards (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Speaking of skateboards (Score:1)
They're giving them to all the AIBO's first.
I personally want those flying cars, and, oh, maybe Bill Gate's thumb for my bar tabs.
A close cousin (Score:3, Interesting)
Excellent (Score:4, Funny)
Warning. (Score:1)
Just like... (Score:1)
ABIO experience (Score:3, Funny)
A Skateboard? (Score:2)
Scooters [knowped.com] predate skateboarding [sonyclassics.com] by about half a century. They're not the same thing.
I got better than an abio... (Score:1)
and they cost me less..
Up next, Jackaibo the movie! (Score:4, Funny)
I'm just waiting for the day when all of these Aibo's get bored with filming their skateboarding, and start filming Aibos racing themselves in shopping carts and smashing themselves into a brick wall for kicks.
"Hey dude, you broke your left navigational antenna. DUDE, IT'S BROKEN. That's so funny dude! Yip yip!"
Could AIBO go pro? (Score:1)
"... I can't believe it, AIBO has pulled a 720 reverse double dog-paddle air, a trick of his own devising
More Expensive Gifts to Buy (Score:1)
At least SOMEBODY has time to enjoy them.
Dogtown and the Z-Boys (Score:1, Funny)
Why You'd Want These Skateboards.. (Score:2)
(Paraphrased from TechTV's "TechLive")
That's not a skateboard (Score:2, Insightful)
Self Charging? (Score:1)
I couldn't find a reference to this anywhere. The AIBO Energy Station is something you flop your dog-robot onto... but it can't do it itself. I thought it would when I bought it too; just wishful thinking I guess.
-- David
Underwhelmed by Aibo (Score:2)
Great! (Score:1)
Yes, but can Aibo Ollie 12 inches? (Score:1)
Handlebars? (Score:1)
My Favorite Feature ... (Score:3, Funny)
exec2: Well in the past, when companies wanted to make technology more expensive without adding anything useful, they packaged interchangable color face plates.
exec1: Of course! But that wont work in this case, what can we change the color of instead?
exec2: The handlebars?
exec1: The handlebars!
Includes interchangeable handlebars (orange, black, and white)
What a "feature", as if all the AIBO stuff wasn't expensive enough already.
802.11b card for Aibo... (Score:5, Funny)
War-dog-walking, anyone?
wowzers (Score:2, Funny)
Old news (Score:2)
The slashdot editors should be more interested in an Aibo that fetches today's paper.
Maybe then we can get News for Nerds, while it still matters.
And in other news... (Score:4, Funny)
When asked what prompted his departure from the sport, Mr. Hawk replied "I don't know how I can compete against this. I mean sure, the thing probably can't method to save it's ass, but that kind of cuteness just sucks the life out of the sport. I figure I'll just take up base jumping or something. It'll be at least a couple more years before that job-stealing, mechanical fleatrap can open a parachute. I hope."
Frightening (Score:2)
I hoped I wouldn't live to see the day when life imitates explodingdog [explodingdog.com].
Can the monsters and the red robots be far behind?
Guide to -1:Offtopic Posting (Score:1, Offtopic)
Post a guide to +5:Funny posting
And I'm pretty certain posting a guide to -1:Offtopic posting is a pretty sure way too, but we'll have to wait and see about that. At least that would be self-referental, which is somehow almost always magically on topic on Slashdot. Though skateboarding Aibos might be stretching it.
Re:more accessories (Score:1)