Sony discontinues Japan sales of robot puppy ‘aibo’

Guests play with a Sony's new Aibo robot at a Sony show room in Tokyo Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. New Aibo is on sale from Jan. 11. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

TOKYO - Sony is halting sales of its robotic puppy “aibo” in Japan, the company said, eight years after the latest model of its interactive android pet became an instant hit.

The announcement marks the end of an era for loyal fans of the high-tech toy, which develops its own personality and can perform tricks like waving and mimicking its owner.

The ERS-1000 aibo model a 30-centimetre long hound with flapping ears, eyes that show emotions, and a nose camera -- charmed customers on its launch in 2018, clocking up 20,000 sales in the first six months.

It was also a big comeback for Sony’s robot dog.

The earliest iteration of aibo came out in 1999, followed by numerous different models, from angular silver bots to more cuddly round-faced versions.

More than 150,000 units sold during the period until 2006, when Sony, facing a tough business environment, pulled the plug on the canine gadget, seen as something of a frivolous luxury.

Sony said in a statement Thursday that Japan sales of the current ERS-1000 model will be discontinued once stock runs out.

Services such as access to tech support, replacement parts and subscriptions to online cloud plans to store the robodog’s memories will be maintained, it said.

When asked about plans for a potential new generation of aibo, Sony told AFP that “the aibo business will continue.”

“While we are unable to provide any specific details regarding future product plans at this stage, we will continue to expand our range of new products and services so that aibo remains a partner cherished by its owners and continues to grow alongside them,” it said.

Sony declined to give a total sales figure for the aibo model released in 2018.

But it said that sales will continue in the United States, where aibo retails for more than $3,000. It is not sold in any other countries.

Japanese fans had a vocal reaction to the news.

“I’ve been in a daze ever since I saw the announcement. Until more information comes out, I need to be careful not to mess up my daily life from overthinking,” wrote X user Yachi.

“So it’s over already? It didn’t last until the golden age of physical AI,” Yusuke Ando wrote.

Another X user called Daiyamondo had a suggestion for Sony: “Next time you develop one, could you make it half the size, and cat-shaped?”