Although this was announced in 2005, I just learned that the Sony robot Qrio, is never going to become a reality. In fact, they have pulled the production plug on Aibo as well.
For more information, go to this link:
If this is old news, forgive me.
Bad move in my opinion.
I Remember seeing a robotic dog like this (Im not sure if it was the same one) last year or so during my Science Fair tour. It was also discontinued so it may have been the same one. It was sooo cool, its capabilities were awsome! 
Too bad the research and technology was shut-down 
It is sad news, but you do have to wonder how much money they were making from these.
The price tag for Aibo was fairly high. It could do a lot of stuff, but it wasn’t the most practical or helpful robot. It was just a very expensive toy.
Don’t get me wrong, I think they were great! I guess it’s just business and money.
Well, it probably also would have helped if Sony hadn’t done that whole “Sue your customers” thing, but then again, playing well with others has never really been Sony’s strong suit.
I’m sure they were pumping gobs of money in R&D which is why they bailed. The part that disappoints me is giving up on the A.I. sector. Qrio was more than just a potential expensive COOL toy, to me; it would be like the first desktop computer that hit the market that used audio cassettes for data storage.
Only firms with deep pockets can develop new technologies that pertain to robotics at a relatively fast rate.
NICE 8)
