New Sony AIBO Robot Dog Speaks English - And Spanish

Sony's now-old robot dog has been taught a few new tricks.

The AIBO Entertainment Robot, model ERS-7M3, comes bundled with new AIBO MIND 3 software that enables it to say more than 1,000 English words and even some Spanish words and phrases.

The AIBO MIND 3 enables AIBO to talk back and express verbal communication with its owner using more than 1,000 words in English. AIBO can also now recognize approximately 30 Spanish words and phrases, including sientate (sit down) ven aqui (come here) and buen perro (good dog).

The new software allows for increased pet-like actions and motions for a more natural body language. The mapping feature enables AIBO's short term memory to track the locations of its Energy Station, faces, walls, and its favorite place or toys much faster.

The robot can automatically detect the beat of the music and dance to it. And the new AIBO can't bring you the paper, but can read RSS feeds and read the news to you.

The AIBO Entertainment Player version 2.0, part of the AIBO MIND 3 Upgrade Kit, comes on a CD-ROM that easily loads onto a PC. Multiple features are incorporated into the updated software for increased functionality and an enhanced entertainment experience. Owners can monitor and manually control many of AIBO's capabilities directly from their computer.

The AIBO MIND Scope feature shows the owner objects that AIBO sees, shows its emotions and lets the owner know when it has recognized a person.

The AIBO Diary feature and the AIBO Net News are two more exciting additions to its capabilities.

A limited edition, champagne brown AIBO Entertainment Robot (ERS-7M3/T) will come with a camouflaged ear, along with a tail design that is unique to each unit.

The new software comes bundled with any of the new ERS-7M3 models in each of three colors. For current AIBO owners, upgrade kits can be purchased for previous ERS-7 models.

The champagne brown AIBO Entertainment Robot model ERS-7M3/T will sell for about $2,100. The pearl white and pearl black models (ERS-7M3/W and ERS-7M3/B, respectively) will both sell for about $2,000.

The AIBO MIND 3 Upgrade Kit for AIBO MIND 2 will be available for about $90 and the AIBO MIND 3 Upgrade Kit for AIBO MIND will sell for about $100.

They will ship in late October and will be available direct on SonyStyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores (http://www.sonystyle.com/retail) and at select Sony Electronics authorized dealers.