Sony’s new “Aibo Foster Parent Program” will repair and refurbish donated Aibos, before providing them to foster homes, nursing homes and other facilities where an emotional support robot could be beneficial. A machine translation of the program’s announcement says new owners will be charged an undisclosed fee for the robot
The program is designed to extend the life of the pricey robo-dog in order to keep it from ending up in landfills. The company points out that some Aibo units, depending on their condition, may just end up being salvaged for parts.
The newest Aibo robots are certainly designed to feel more like a real dog than their ’90s counterparts: both in features and price. With a $2,900 upfront charge and an annual $300 on top of that for access to smartphone connectivity and online services, it makes sense why some Aibos might find their way into the pound. The new program gives those robots a second chance at life, where studies show they might do some good—certainly more than in a closet.
Full story: https://themessenger.com/tech/sony-is-giving-old-aibo-robot-dogs-a-second-chance-at-being-good-boys
Source: https://aibo.sony.jp/csr/foster/?s_tc=st_sm_tw_aibo_aibjrny_230911_02 (in Japaneese)