Maybe you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but AIBO proves you can teach a new dog old tricks. With a 64-bit RISC brain, a videocam for eyes, and stereo microphones in lieu of floppy ears, Sony's Artificial Intelligence Robot can be trained by using its motion- and sound-editor PC software to program new behaviors onto a memory stick. AIBO romps around like any frisky puppy and expresses emotions such as joy and fear through body language and eye color. When AIBO goes on sale June 1 (at www.sony.co.jp/robot/), it will be able to recognize basic colors. The next litter, says project director Tadashi Otsuki, may recognize faces and voice commands, and plug itself in when its lithium-ion batteries are running low. Now, can your old dog do that?
ELECTRIC WORD
Armored Hot Dog
The Science Underground
Reframing the Future
Army of One
Keeping Up with the Simses
