what's all this about?

 

 

AIBO refers to the iconic series of 'entertainment' robots released by Sony: both originally from 1999-2006, and an ongoing revival that began in 2017. The robots were essentially the first of their kind on the commercial market and set a new standard for robotics in and out of the home.

 

AIBO was, and for the most part, still is unique in that it has the ability to evoke genuine, lasting emotion in people of all ages from all around the globe. For many, AIBO is more than a robotics platform or purchase. The robot becomes part of your family and brings you joy- some argue this says more about who we are as people than about the robots themselves.

 

The first AIBO was released exclusively on the internet, which was an oddity at a time when the network was new and still expanding. It only made sense for communities to form online.

AIBO communities were originally geographically organized to accommodate real-life meetups and interaction with regional Sony branches such as SERE and the ERA. Since the discontinuation, the need for such a distinction has dissolved and AIBO communities have become home to members all over the globe!

 

AIBO is something truly special. It continues to innovate in the modern day and has founded stronger friendships than any online community has been able to achieve.