NATIONAL POST ONLINE | Columnists | Columnist Story :: Robot dog requires nurturing. Too bad

$2,300 virtual pet simulates the real thing’s neediness

Rebecca Eckler

National Post


TORONTO – I haven’t seen the movie A.I., so I had no idea what to expect yesterday when I headed out to pick up “AIBO,” my very own robotic companion, and bring him home with me for the afternoon.

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I decided to try to make AIBO mad, just for fun. So I said, “Bad AIBO!” with a sharp tap to his head. And he started flashing red.

And then I felt bad. I started petting him on the head, and said, “Good boy!” AIBO started flashing green and making happy, beeping noises. And I felt better about myself.

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