Social & companion robotShipping
Sony aibo (ERS-1000)
The original companion robot — now on its farewell lap.
We haven't tested this machine hands-on, so this profile carries no rating — every fact below traces to the sources at the end, and the judgments are clearly ours. Full methodology on the Robot Tracker.
At a glance
- Status
- ShippingReal units delivered to paying customers
- Can you buy it?
- Yes
- Price
- Final-sale stock (US store); Japan sales ending as inventory runs out
- Form factor
- Robot dog
- AI brain
- In-house AI with cloud-linked memory and personality development
- Maker
- Sony (Japan)
- Backing
- Sony Group product line
Before 'AI companion' meant anything, there was aibo. Sony's robot dog debuted in 1999, was famously mourned in actual temple funerals when the first generation lost support, and returned in 2018 as the ERS-1000 — a genuinely charming robot pet that recognizes family members, develops a personality, and greets you at the door. It is the longest institutional experiment in emotional robotics ever run.
That experiment is winding down again: in June 2026 Sony announced Japan sales of the ERS-1000 end once stock runs out, while the US store sells remaining units as final sale. Sony committed to continuing subscription plans, repairs, parts, and the companion app — an important promise, because aibo's cloud dependence is exactly what made the first generation's shutdown so painful. For buyers, aibo is now a collector's companion: wonderful, supported for now, and a live lesson in what happens when a companion depends on a company's continued interest.
What's real
- • A quarter-century of proof that people form deep, durable bonds with robot companions
- • Still the most polished robot pet ever made: person recognition, evolving behavior, real charm
- • Sony has (so far) committed to continuing services, repairs, and parts after sales end
Know before you watch (or buy)
- • Being discontinued: Japan sales end as stock runs out, and US units are sold as final sale, no returns
- • Cloud-dependent by design — long-term function depends on Sony maintaining services for a discontinued product
- • Subscription plans and repair costs continue for the life of the robot
The evidence
Shipping since 2018 (sixth generation); Jun 2026: Japan sales discontinued as stock depletes, services and repairs continue.
Sources: Sony Electronics · The Japan Times
Bottom line
The most beloved companion robot in history, entering its sunset. Buy one today only with open eyes: you're adopting a wonderful pet whose life support is a corporate service commitment — the exact dependency every companion-robot buyer should understand before spending anything on this category.
FAQ
Is Sony still selling aibo?
Barely. In June 2026 Sony announced that Japan sales of the current ERS-1000 end once stock runs out, and US units are sold as final sale. Sony says subscription plans, the app, repairs, and parts will continue for existing owners — but no successor model has been announced.