Aibo's new face-recognition and recharging powers are unstoppable

Sony
announced Thursday that it is releasing new software that will provide the canine
robot AIBO with face-recognition and self-recharging capabilities. The AIBO Recognition
[ERF210-AW06E] application prompts the robot to automatically re-juice its own battery when
depleted (as shown in the image here), and also enables AIBO to distinguish its owner's name, voice and face
from other humans. The new software debuts in November at $99 retail, and will
be released around the same time that Sony debuts two new holiday colors for the
AI pet: red and white. From the Sony press release:

When AIBO senses "hunger" (i.e., the need for energy) or when the owner tells the robot, it will search for and locate the recharging markers on its Energy Station·, walk over to it and navigate its body onto the station's cradle to recharge itself. Once charged, AIBO will then turn itself back on and walk away from its charger continuing its autonomous behavior (setting required). Additionally with AIBO Recognition, an owner can first register his or her name and voice through a series of prompts. Then the owner will be prompted to look into the robot's camera to register a facial image… upon hearing its owner's name and/ or voice and/ or seeing its face the robot will express affectionate emotions.

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