Sony commits to expandable entertainment robot product line * New Artificially Intelligent Companion Boasts Modular Hardware and Innovative Software Capabilitie

BERLIN, Nov 8 (PROTEXT/PRNewswire) - Sony Entertainment RobotEurope (SERE) has announced a new futuristic robot that boastsmodular hardware and innovative software capabilities.Available in silver, the new AIBO Entertainment Robot ERS-220fuses an ultramodern design with a host of expressive andinteractive features. This new AIBO model is visually differentfrom its predecessors by its hard edge and futuristic look.Furthermore, this enhanced model represents Sony's commitment tothe expandability of the Entertainment Robot platform throughboth its modular hardware and upgraded software.New hardware features for AIBO ERS-220 will include an extensivearray of 21 Light Emitting Diodes (LED). They are located aroundthe head area, face and visor, to allow for a more expressivecommunication. There is a retractable headlight within therobot's head for increased emotional expression as well asmultiple enhanced touch sensors located on the robot's head, faceand tail, providing for varying degrees of response and increasedinteraction between owner and AIBO.The AIBO ERS-220 is also equipped with 16 degrees of freedom(head sensor x 1, neck x 3 joints, legs x 3 joints x 4), enablingsmooth body movement."We continue to listen to the market and have decided to furtherexpand our product line. The ERS- 220 will appeal to the mostdiscerning tech-savvy robot enthusiasts," said Nicolas Babin,General Manager of Sony Entertainment Robot Europe. "The new lookof this model and its enhanced functionalities will enablecustomers to enjoy the full AIBO experience from autonomy toprogramming and control. We strongly believe that the ERS-220will exceed people's expectations!"The new AIBO ERS-220 will include several innovative software-enabled features, such as a 75-word vocabulary (25 more wordsthan the previous version) and an advanced photo-taking option(JPEG format) like Surveillance Mode (AIBO Explorer only), a newmotion detection photo-taking feature.Additional software features include increased tonal expressionssuch as "AIBO Step" allowing owners to change the sounds AIBOmakes while walking, or "AIBO Boost Mode", a newly added moodthat shifts when the robot becomes excited, curious or even alertwhile communication goes on between the owner and his AIBO.Pre-sale orders for the new AIBO Entertainment Robot ERS-220 willbe accepted from Nov. 12 on. This futuristic model will beavailable through the Internet or phone from the beginning ofDecember. The ERS-220 will carry a retail price of 1,800(excluding VAT)."AIBO Explorer" AIBO-ware Software"AIBO Explorer" AIBO-ware, a Memory Stick software package soldseparately, brings to life a fully mature robot allowing users toexperience the full range of adult AIBO behaviours. AIBO acts asa fully autonomous fully mature robot that makes independentdecisions about its own actions and behaviours features straightaway. AIBO owners are able to develop their robot's personalitywith progressive interaction without having to raise an AIBO tomaturity. Also, exclusive to "AIBO Explorer" is the SurveillanceMode (must be used in conjunction with Energy Station). WhenAIBO is left alone in a room, the Surveillance Mode allows AIBOto sense a movement and he will take a photo that can be seenlater. The photos taken by AIBO are saved directly in JPEGformat on a dedicated AIBO-ware Memory Stick."AIBO Life 2" AIBO-ware SoftwareWith "AIBO Life 2" software, another Memory Stick softwarepackage sold separately, AIBO owners have the opportunity toraise their robot from infant to adult, learning new behavioursbased on the level of interaction with humans and itsenvironment. Equipped with enhanced interactivity, "AIBO Life 2"allows the training of AIBO through its touch sensors.Additional features include AIBO Choreography, a new mode thatallows AIBO owners to teach AIBO original actions and have therobot perform them, also Training Mode, a new mode that allowsAIBO owners to assign names to pre-programmed AIBO motions."AIBO Navigator 2" AIBO-ware SoftwareNew for AIBO Entertainment Robots [both the ERS-210 and the 220model] is "AIBO Navigator 2", an upgraded version of the AIBONavigator a PC-based software package that allows owners tocontrol and navigate AIBO from distances of up to 100 metres viaa wireless LAN capability from PC to AIBO.Sporting a new graphic user interface, this version of Navigatornot only enables users to view in streaming video what AIBO seesbut also boasts several new features including the ability toinitiate actions created by AIBO Master Studio 1.1 (AMS 1.1), theability to send audio messages from a PC to AIBO, the ability tohear what AIBO hears via a PC, and the ability to control AIBO's[ERS-220] retractable spotlight.AIBO Entertainment Robot [ERS-220] Series Includes:AIBO Entertainment Robot [ERS-220], AC Adapter, Lithium IonBattery Pack, Pink Ball, Release Pin and Manual.AIBO Entertainment Robot [ERS-220] Series Accessories (soldseparately):A variety of AIBO-ware Memory Stick media applications.* AIBO Explorer [ERF-220AW02E]: Mature autonomous robot software* AIBO Life 2 [ERF-220AW01E]: Raising and autonomous robotsoftware* AIBO Programming Memory Stick [ERA-MS008]* AIBO Wireless LAN Card [ERA-201D1]* Energy Station [ERA-210P1]* Portable Charger [ERA-301P4]* Special Lithium Ion Battery [ERA-201B1]* Carrying Bag [ERA-210C1]Sales Schedule:* Pre-Sale Reservations: Begins Nov. 12* Purchase AIBO/ Delivery: From beginning of December* Price: 1,800 (excl. VAT)How to Purchase an AIBO Entertainment Robot [ERS-220]:* Internet: www.eu.aibo.com* Telephone (Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm CET):English line: +44-20-73 65 29 38German line: +49-69-95 08 63 10French line: +33-1-55 69 51 18About Sony:Sony manufactures audio, video, communications and informationtechnology products for the global consumer and professionalmarkets. With its music, pictures, game and online businesses,Sony is uniquely positioned to become a leading personalbroadband entertainment company in the 21st century. In EuropeSony recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 14.90 billion (yen1,473,780 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001,based on an average market exchange rate for the same period ofyen 98.9 to the EUR. Sony Europe, headquartered at the SonyCentre am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, is responsible for thecompany's European electronics business and registeredconsolidated sales of EUR 10.37 billion for the fiscal year endedMarch 31, 2001.For more information on Sony Europe, please visithttp://www.sony-europe.comFor more information, please contactSylvia Shin Corporate Communications Europe Sony Europe GmbHtel: +49 30 2575 5156fax: +49 30 2575 5174email: sylvia.shin@eu.sony.comwww.sony-europe.com/presscenterIn addition, for any queries about Sony in your respectivecountry, please contact your local Sony PR office.Corporate communications Europe

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