In a move that's sure to infuriate our future robot overlords – not to mention potentially delay their arrival – Sony has discontinued production of the Aibo and Qrio entertainment bots. As part of a massive restructuring that's been expected since Britain's Howard Stringer took the helm of the electronics giant, Sony has already ceased production of the Aibo robotic puppy and the newly hatched Qrio humanoid bot. Along with the sad news about the death of two of our favorite electronic buddies, Sony has announced the layoff of 10,000 workers. The whole restructuring is part of an effort to refocus the company on staid, mainstream, profitable ventures in the hopes of competing more aggressively with the likes of Samsung and LG, which have both grown mightily over the past few years. Unfortunately, it looks like the streamlining is about to unseat Sony as the foremost innovator in the consumer robotics world. We only wonder who will take the title in Sony's absence.
[Via Akihabara]
