Sony AIBO ERS7 User Manual

4-678-793-11 (1)

User's Guide (Basic

)

For Customers in
the U.S.A.

Safety Information

Owner’s Record

The model number and serial number are
located inside the cover of the unit and on the
side of the supplied AC adapter. Record the
serial number in the space provided below.
Refer to the model and serial number whenever
you call upon your Sony
Link (customer service).

Model No. ERS-7

Serial No. ________________

Warning

• To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose

the robot to rain or moisture.

• To avoid electrical shock, do not open the

enclosure. Refer servicing to qualified
personnel only. (Contact the AIBO Customer
Link for customer service.) (page 5)

• Periodically examine the AC adapter for

conditions that may result in the risk of fire,
electrical shock, or injury to persons (such as
damage to the cords, blades, housing) and in
the event of such conditions, the AC adapter
should not be used until properly repaired or
replaced.

• Not intended for children under 8 years old.

• This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC

Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.

®

AIBO® Customer

Regulatory Information

This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following
measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the

equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a

circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV

technician for help.
You are cautioned that any changes or
modifications not expressly approved in this
manual could void your authority to operate this
equipment.
The shielded interface cable recommended in
this manual must be used with this equipment in
order to comply with the limits for a digital
device pursuant to Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC
Rules.

Note

FCC RF Radiation Exposure Statement: This
equipment complies with FCC RF radiation
exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment. This device and its antenna must
not be co-located or operating in conjunction
with any other antenna or transmitter.

2

DISPOSAL OF LITHIUM­ION BATTERY

LITHIUM-ION BATTERY
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY

You can return your unwanted Lithium-Ion
batteries to your nearest Sony

Caution

In some areas the disposal of Lithium-Ion batteries in
household or business trash may be prohibited.

For the Sony AIBO® Customer Link call 1-800­427-2988 in the United States or contact us via
e-mail at [e-mail].
! Do not handle damaged or leaking Lithium-

Ion batteries.

! Danger of explosion if the battery is

incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the
ERA-7B1. Use of another battery may present
a risk of fire or explosion. Discard used
batteries according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.

! The battery used in this device may present a

fire or chemical burn hazard if mistreated. Do
not disassemble, heat above 140ºF (60ºC) or
incinerate. Dispose of used battery promptly.
Keep away from children.

RECYCLING LITHIUM­ION RECHARGEABLE
BATTERIES

Lithium-Ion batteries are recyclable.
You can help preserve our environment by
returning your used rechargeable batteries to
the collection and recycling location nearest
you.
For more information regarding recycling of
rechargeable batteries, call toll free
1-800-822-8837, or visit http://www.rbrc.org/
Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking
Lithium-Ion batteries.

®

Service Center.

For Customers in
Europe

Safety Information

WARNING

• To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose

the robot to rain or moisture.

• To avoid electrical shock, do not open the

enclosure. Refer servicing to qualified
personnel only. (Contact the AIBO Customer
Link for customer service.) (page 5)

• Periodically examine the AC adapter for

conditions that may result in the risk of fire,
electric shock, or injury to persons (such as
damage to the cords, blades, housing) and in
the event of such conditions, the AC adapter
should not be used until properly replaced.

• The robot is not intended or recommended for

children under 8 years old.

• The robot must be used only with the

recommended AC adapter (ERA-201P1).

• The AC adapter is not a toy.

• Small parts can be swallowed.

• If the external flexible cable or cord is

damaged, it must be replaced or repaired only
by the manufacturer, an authorized service
agent or a similar qualified person in order to
avoid a hazard.

• All material for fastening or packing purposes

are not part of the robot and should be
discarded for children’s safety.

• Rechargeable batteries are only to be charged

under adult supervision.

3

Regulatory Information

This product has been tested and found to
conform to the following Safety Standards.

Toy Directive 88/378/EEC
EMC Directive 89/336/EEC
LVD Directive 73/23/EEC
R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC

We, Sony
AIBO
in compliance with the essential requirements
and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/
5/EC.
For details, please access the following URL:
http://www.compliance.sony.de/

CE (EMC) Marking Conformity Remarks

a) This equipment complies with EN55022.

b) This product conforms with the following

®

Corporation, hereby declare that

®

Entertainment Robot, model ERS-7 is

Class B digital for use in following areas:
residential, business, and light-industrial.

European Directive:
89/336/EEC (EMC directive)

DISPOSAL OF LITHIUM­ION BATTERY

! Do not handle damaged or leaking Lithium-

Ion batteries.

! Danger of explosion if the battery is

incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the
ERA-7B1. Discard used batteries according to
the manufacturer’s instructions.

! The battery used in this device may present a

fire or chemical burn hazard if mistreated. Do
not disassemble, heat above 60 ºC (140 ºF) or
incinerate. Dispose of used battery promptly.
Keep away from children.

Voor de Klanten in
Nederland
(For customers in the
Netherlands)

Gooi de batterij niet weg maar lever deze in als
klein chemisch afval (KCA).

Opmerking betreffende de
geheugen-backupbatterij

(Note on a battery for memory
backup)
Dit apparaat bevat een vast
ingebouwde batterij die niet vervangen hoeft te
worden tijdens de levensduur van het apparaat.
Raadpleeg uw leverancier indien de batterij toch
vervangen moet-worden.
De batterij mag alleen vervangen worden door
vakbekwaam servicepersoneel.
Gooi de batterij niet weg maar lever deze in als
klein chemisch afval (KCA).
Lever het apparaat aan het einde van de
levensduur in voor recycling, de batterij zal dan
op correcte wijze verwerkt worden.

Fur Deutsch Kunden und
Kundinnen
(For customers in Germany)

Entsorgungshinweis: Bitte werfen Sie nur
entladene Batterien in die Sammelboxen beim
Handel oder den Kommunen. Entladen sind
Batterien in der Regel dann, wenn das Gerät
abschaltet und signalisiert „Batterie leer“ oder
nach längerer Gebrauchsdauer der Batterien
„nicht mehr einwandfrei funktioniert“. Um
sicherzugehen, kleben Sie die Batteriepole z.B.
mit einem Klebestreifen ab oder geben Sie die
Batterien einzeln in einen Plastikbeutel.

4

Customer Support

How can you contact the AIBO Customer Link (customer service)?
In the U.S.A.:
Call 1-800-427-2988
E-mail address: [e-mail]
In Europe:
English line: [phone]
German line: [phone]
French line: [phone]

 2003 Sony Corporation.
Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. All rights reserved.

5

Opening the package (Checking the supplied items)

Check to see if you have the following items before starting to play with the AIBO®
Entertainment Robot.

AIBO Entertainment Robot ERS-7

AIBO-ware “Memory Stick™” media Lithium-ion battery pack

6

Energy Station Energy Station AC adapter

Self-charge markers (must be mounted on the Energy Station)

• Station marker • Station pole • Foot stopper

AIBOne toy Pink ball

®

AIBO

cards (15) “User’s Guide (PC·Network)” for the

AIBO robot ERS-7/AIBO WLAN
Manager CD-ROM

Printed materials

• Safety Notice

• “User’s Guide (Basic)” for the AIBO

robot ERS-7 (this document)

• AIBO Info Sheet (Service and

• Quick Guide

• Software License Agreement

• Limited Warranty Card

• Wireless LAN Use Caution Sticker

Support Information)

• Other brochures

*

*

The “User’s Guide (PC·Network)” for the AIBO robot ERS-7 is included on the
supplied CD-ROM in PDF format. Adobe

®

Acrobat® Reader® 5.0, or Adobe Reader

6.0 or later is required to view the PDF files on the supplied CD-ROM.

Before use, be sure to read the supplied “Safety Notice” and “Software License
Agreement”.

7

“OPEN-R” is the standard interface for the AIBO® Entertainment Robot
system that Sony
of the entertainment robot through a flexible combination of hardware and
interchangeable software to suit various applications.
The AIBO Entertainment Robot ERS-7 conforms to OPEN-R version 1.1.5.

“AIBO”, the AIBO logo , “OPEN-R” and the OPEN-R logo , “Memory Stick”,
“ ” and “ ” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation.

Adobe Acrobat, and Reader are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

The visual pattern recognition software used for “AIBO MIND” incorporates
technology developed by Evolution Robotics, Inc.
The logo shown on the left is a trademark of Evolution Robotics, Inc.

®

is actively promoting. This interface expands the capability

The toes, station pole, and foot stopper of the AIBO robot are
manufactured using environment-friendly vegetable-based plastics.

Other information about the AIBO robot is available on the Internet at the following site:
http://www.aibo.com

8

Table of contents

Introduction

What is an Autonomous Robot? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

What is the AIBO

Autonomous activities of the AIBO robot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Emotions and instincts of the AIBO Entertainment Robot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

It’s a robot, but it develops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

About the AIBO Entertainment Robot

Features of the AIBO robot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Features of the AIBO MIND software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Guide to parts and their functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

The AIBO Entertainment Robot ERS-7 parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

The AIBO Entertainment Robot (stomach) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Energy Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

®

Entertainment Robot? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

ERS-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Playing with the AIBO Entertainment Robot

Getting started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Preparing the AIBO robot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Preparing the Energy Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Playing with the AIBO Entertainment Robot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Various interactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Let the AIBO Entertainment Robot rest on the Energy Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Placing the AIBO robot on the Energy Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Removing the AIBO robot from the Energy Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Stopping the AIBO Entertainment Robot activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Modes and Conditions of the AIBO Entertainment Robot

Modes and conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

The AIBO Entertainment Robot feature and mode map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Changing modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

9

Living with the AIBO® Entertainment Robot

Determining the AIBO Entertainment Robot’s lifestyle rhythm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Determining the AIBO robot’s period of activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Switching the AIBO robot’s chime ON and OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Enabling/Disabling the AIBO Entertainment Robot’s alarm clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

How to charge the AIBO robot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

The AIBO Entertainment Robot charges on its own (self-charge) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

When the AIBO robot recharge is not successful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Communicating with the AIBO Entertainment Robot

From you to the AIBO Entertainment Robot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Sight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Touch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Talking to the AIBO robot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Giving the AIBO Entertainment Robot its own name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Teaching the AIBO Entertainment Robot to recognize your name and face . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Using AIBO cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

From the AIBO Entertainment Robot to you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Having the AIBO Entertainment Robot take a pictures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

10

Raising the AIBO Entertainment Robot

Enjoying the AIBO Entertainment Robot’s development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Learning and acquiring skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

The AIBO Entertainment Robot’s feelings and personality development . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Playing in Game mode

Playing Game 1, the AIBO Entertainment Robot’s “Function Demo” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Settings

Setting the volume level of the AIBO® Entertainment Robot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Adjusting the volume with an AIBO card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Adjusting the volume with the control switch on

the AIBO Entertainment Robot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Adjusting the volume using the Energy Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Changing the date and time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Setting the date and time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Setting the time zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Changing the date and time display format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Turning the wireless LAN function ON and OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Additional Information

Notes on use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Handling the AIBO robot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

“Memory Stick” media handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Energy Station handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

AC adapter handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Battery handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Check this first . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Checking with Clinic mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Limited warranty (for the U.S.A. only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Service procedure (for the U.S.A. only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Reference Material

AIBO card at a glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Front and back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

List of AIBO cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Words understood by the AIBO Entertainment Robot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Time zone table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

11

Introduction

Welcome to the world of the AIBO® Entertainment Robot
ERS-7!
Living together with you, the AIBO robot ERS-7 will develop
into a pet that is uniquely yours.

Before beginning your life together with the AIBO robot, please
familiarize yourself with the following.

What is an Autonomous Robot?

What is the AIBO® Entertainment Robot?

The AIBO robot is the name which Sony® has given to its family of
entertainment robots, robots that are designed with the goal of
presenting a vision for a new type of life style in which human beings
derive enjoyment from mutual existence with robotic creatures.
The name itself is a play on the words “artificial intelligence” (AI) and
“robot”, or a robot with eyes. In its home country, Japan, the word
“AIBO” also means “partner” or “sidekick”.

For the latest information on the AIBO robot, visit the following Web site:
http://www.aibo.com

Autonomous activities of the AIBO robot

The AIBO robot combines a body (hardware) and mind (the AIBO MIND software) that
allow it to move, think, and display the lifelike attributes of emotion, instinct, learning, and
growth.
It establishes communication with people by displaying emotions, and assumes various
behaviors (autonomous actions) based on information which it gathers from its environment.
The AIBO robot is not only a robot, but an autonomous robot with the ability to complement
your life.

While living with you, the AIBO robot’s behavioral patterns will develop as it learns and
grows. When it finds you, it will approach you joyfully, perhaps bringing its “AIBOne toy”
along in an attempt to get you to play. On the other hand, when its attention is elsewhere, you
may find that the AIBO robot ignores you even when you talk to it. By understanding such
autonomous behavior, you will get even more enjoyment out of your life with the AIBO
robot.

14

Emotions and instincts of the AIBO

®

Entertainment

Robot

Emotions and instincts form the basis for the AIBO robot’s autonomous behavior.

Based on all sorts of factors which it picks up from its surroundings, the AIBO robot
undergoes changes in spirit that display themselves in the form of emotional expression.
The AIBO robot possesses the following five basic instincts:

Love instinct: This instinct displays itself as a desire to communicate with people.
Search instinct: This instincts displays itself as a desire to satisfy its curiosity.
Movement instinct: This instincts displays itself as a desire to move about.
Recharge instinct: This instincts displays itself as a desire to find a source of electricity

to power its operation–just like the human instinct to eat.

Sleep instinct: This instincts displays itself as sleepy behavior.

For example:

Sometimes it will want to do things on its own, and sometimes it will seek your
help.
Sometimes it will think deeply before acting, and sometimes it will act on the spur
of the moment.
Sometimes its mood will be happy, and sometimes it will display all the signs of

annoyance.
Ultimately, the convergence of these instincts becomes noticeable as the
personality.

AIBO robot’s

Introduction

It’s a robot, but it develops

When the AIBO robot is first adopted, it is set to wake up and act as an adult. However, you can
also choose to have the AIBO robot begin life with you as a newborn puppy for you to raise and
watch as it develops.
How can the AIBO robot develop, even though it’s a robot?

“

That is because the AIBO robot is an

Upon joining your household, the AIBO robot adjusts itself to your life; that is the nature of
the AIBO robot’s “development”.
We hope that the AIBO robot will become your faithful companion.

Entertainment Robot”, designed to live with people.

15

About the AIBO® Entertainment Robot ERS-7

The AIBO robot ERS-7 consists of the combination of the AIBO robot itself, and software
(“AIBO-ware”) that is recorded on a Sony
software is what constitutes the AIBO robot’s character and personality.
The present guide explains how the AIBO robot will develop and act with the AIBO MIND
software.

®

“Memory Stick™” media. The “AIBO-ware”

Features of the AIBO robot

The AIBO robot has all the functions and capabilities needed to move about by itself.

A variety of senses

The AIBO robot is equipped with a variety of sensors that give it “senses”, used to make
judgments about its conditions in its surroundings.

• Sense of touch: The AIBO robot has touch sensors on its head, back, chin, and paws,

allowing it to feel human contact.

• Sense of hearing: The AIBO robot detects sounds in its environment through a pair of

stereo microphones. This makes it possible for it to respond to your
voice.

• Sense of sight: The AIBO robot is equipped with a color camera and distance sensors.

This allows it to seek colors it likes, and to avoid obstacles. It can also
recognize your face.

• Sense of balance: The AIBO robot keeps its balance by means of acceleration sensors.

Natural, varied, and expressive movements

The AIBO robot has a vast range of natural and
expressive movements. Integrated control over the
operation of the 20 joints in the AIBO robot’s body (20
degrees of freedom), makes it possible for the AIBO
robot to achieve a rich variety of natural-looking
movements.
The AIBO robot is also equipped with face lights and the
ability to generate musical tones, which it uses to express
its emotional and physical condition.

16

Features of the AIBO

®

MIND software

When the AIBO MIND software is installed in the AIBO Entertainment Robot, it learns from
you and its environment, acting on its free will as it develops into your very own AIBO robot.

The AIBOne toy and pink ball are its favorite toys!

The AIBO robot really loves its AIBOne toy and pink ball! Since it
regards them as its favorite toys, if it doesn't see them for a while, it
will begin to search for them. If you use them to play with AIBO, you
may be surprised by some of the tricks it performs!

Communication by AIBO card

The AIBO robot is capable of understanding the meaning of
the graphics on AIBO cards. By showing an AIBO card to the
AIBO robot, you can easily make various settings, have the
AIBO robot perform tricks, and enjoy a variety of activities.
Using AIBO cards, you can be sure of smooth communication
with the AIBO robot even when your surroundings are noisy.

* Some AIBO cards serve dual functions, depending on how they are presented when you show them to the

AIBO robot.

Introduction

In this guide, the things you can do with AIBO cards are noted with the icon. For a full
list of available AIBO cards, see “List of AIBO cards” (page 115).

Each AIBO robot is unique

The AIBO robot will develop into a pet that is uniquely yours.
Whether it develops into an AIBO robot with a deep love of communication, or becomes
accomplished at playing by itself will depend on how you interact with AIBO.
By using AIBO Custom Manager (supplied separately)*, you can play new games with the
AIBO robot and have it dance and sing according to your wishes.

Note

To be able to use AIBO Custom Manager (supplied separately)*, your computer must meet the following
requirements.

• Operating system: Windows® XP Home Edition or Professional, Windows® 2000 Professional,

Windows

• CPU: MMX Pentium 300 MHz or faster

• Memory: 64 MB or more

• Available hard disk space: 120 MB or more

• Display: 16-bit color display or higher; 800x600 pixels or more

• Equipped with a CD-ROM drive

• Capable of reading “Memory Stick™” media

* AIBO Custom Manager (supplied separately) is software that runs on a computer.

®

Me, or Windows® 98 SE

17

The AIBO® Entertainment Robot matches your lifestyle.

The AIBO robot matches the rhythm of its life to yours.
It will wake you in the morning, and at night, go to bed at the same time you do. (For details,
see page 44.) When it is “hungry”, it will self-charge on the Energy Station, which it locates
by recognizing the station's pole and markers, and when it is “tired”, it simply relaxes. The
AIBO robot also loves playing with you, but is perfectly capable of amusing itself with its
AIBOne toy and pink ball. When you go out, it will take pictures upon your command, and
can spend time alone at home on the Energy Station.

18

Game mode

Introduction

In Game mode, you can enjoy playing any of three different

®

games with the AIBO

Entertainment Robot. Game Mode 1 is
AIBO robot’s demo function. This is the only game provided
with the AIBO robot when you first take it home. In the future,
you will be able to add more games to the AIBO robot, using
AIBO Custom Manager (supplied separately)* when more

®

content is released from Sony

s

Notes

• Customization is the process of adding new functions to AIBO-ware,

modifying it to suit your preferences.

• For the latest information on AIBO Custom Manager (supplied

separately)* and available content, visit our Web site at http://www.aibo.com.

* AIBO Custom Manager (supplied separately) is software that runs on a computer.

.

Use your mobile communication device*1 and the Internet for even
greater enjoyment

You can use your PC, mobile communication device*1 or the Internet to mail commands to
the AIBO robot and have it take pictures while you are away, or have it convey messages to
nearby family or friends. You can view pictures that the AIBO robot takes using a Web
browser. The following facilities are required in order to take advantage of the AIBO robot
through a mobile communication device*
For details on how to use the AIBO robot through a mobile communication device*
Internet, refer to the “User’s Guide (PC·Network)” for the AIBO robot ERS-7 (PDF) on the
supplied CD-ROM. Note that Adobe
is required to view the User’s Guide.

1

or the Internet.

®

Acrobat® Reader® 5.0, or Adobe Reader 6.0 or higher

1

or the

The following are required to give commands to the AIBO robot through your PC, mobile

1

communication device*

, or the Internet.

• A “Memory Stick™” media reader/writer (Sony brand is recommended.)

• When connecting your computer and Access Point by wireless LAN, the PC side must

conform to IEEE 802.11b.

• In order to use the AIBO EYES feature, you must have an e-mail account that allows

2

POP*

reception and SMTP transmission.

*1

Caution: Your PC or mobile communication device must be able to receive JPEG e-mail.

*2

The POP server must support the UIDL command (the command that displays a listing of IDs attached to

individual mail messages). Check with your provider to determine whether support is available for your

e-mail account.

19

Guide to parts and their functions

The AIBO® Entertainment Robot ERS-7 parts

20

Caution

• Do not cover the color camera lens or distance sensors with stickers or similar objects.

• Do not limit the AIBO robot’s freedom of movement by affixing stickers to the AIBO robot’s joints or

inserting objects into moving parts.

• When lifting the AIBO robot, be sure to handle it by its body (page 33). To avoid damage to the AIBO

robot, never lift it by its head, ears, legs, tail, or any other part.

A Stereo microphones

Allow the AIBO
to listen to the surrounding
environment.

®

Entertainment Robot

K

Back sensors (front, middle, and
rear)

Detect and turn white when you gently
stroke the AIBO robot’s back.

Introduction

B Head distance sensor

Measures the distance between the
AIBO robot and other objects.

C Color camera

Detects the color, shape, and movement
of nearby objects.

D Mouth

Picks up the AIBOne toy and expresses
emotions.

E Chest distance sensor

Measures the distance between the
AIBO robot and other objects.

F Tail

Moves up, down, left, and right to
express the AIBO robot’s emotions.

G Ears

Indicate the AIBO robot’s emotions and
condition.

H Head sensor

Detects and turns white when you
gently stroke the AIBO robot’s head.

I Wireless light (on the back of the

AIBO robot’s head)

Blue light for use with the Wireless
LAN function.

J Pause button

When pressed, the AIBO robot’s
activity will pause or resume.

L Face lights

These lights turn various colors to show
the AIBO robot’s emotions and
conditions.

M Head light

Detects and turns white when you touch
the head sensor.
Turns orange when an AIBO robot’s
joint is jammed (page 39).

N Mode indicators (inner side of

ears)

These indicate the present mode and
condition of the AIBO robot (page 38).

O Operation light

During operation: turns green.
During preparation for shutdown:
flashes green.
During charging: turns orange.
When a charging error occurs: flashes
orange.
When stopped: goes off.

P Back light (front, middle, and

rear)

Detect and turn white when you gently
touch the AIBO robot’s back sensors.
These lights also turn blue (front),
orange (middle), and red (rear) to
indicate a variety of actions.

21

The AIBO

This shows the AIBO robot with its stomach compartment cover off.

®

Entertainment Robot (stomach)

22

Caution

Do not touch the charging contacts with your bare hands. Touching the contacts will reduce contact quality.

A Paw sensors

These are located on the bottom of the

®

AIBO
with any surface it touches. When the
AIBO robot extends one of its paws, it
will react with happiness if you touch it.

B Speaker

Emits music, sound effects, and voice
guide.

C Charging terminal

When you place the AIBO robot on the
Energy Station, this part makes contact
with the station to allow charging of the
AIBO robot’s battery.

D Volume control switch (VOLUME)

Adjusts the volume of the speaker to one
of four levels (including mute).

E Wireless LAN switch (WIRELESS)

This turns the AIBO robot’s wireless
LAN function ON or OFF.

F “Memory Stick™” media access

indicator

This indicator goes on while the AIBO
robot is reading or writing to a “Memory
Stick” media. While the indicator is ON,
you cannot remove the “Memory Stick”
media or battery by means of the
“Memory Stick” media eject button (Z)
or the battery latch (Z). Under this
circumstance, never attempt to forcibly
remove the “Memory Stick” media.

robot’s paws, and detect contact

G Battery pack latch (BATT Z)

Flip this latch to the rear when you want
to remove the battery.

H Chin sensor

Senses when you touch the AIBO robot’s
chin.

I FCC ID/MAC address label

Indicates the FCC ID and MAC address
of the AIBO robot’s wireless unit.

J Battery slot

Holds the AIBO robot’s lithium-ion
battery.

K “Memory Stick” media eject button

(Z)

Press to eject the “Memory Stick” media.

L “Memory Stick” media slot

This is where you insert the provided
AIBO-ware “Memory Stick” media.

* Emergency eject hole

If you cannot eject the “Memory Stick”
media or battery normally because of a
malfunction or operation trouble, place the
AIBO robot in Pause mode, and then
insert an object such as a paper clip into
the emergency eject hole.
(Do not use fragile objects, such as
toothpicks, into the emergency eject hole
as they may break.)
Under normal circumstances, you do not
need to use the emergency eject hole.

Introduction

23

Energy Station

7

1

2345

LCD Panel

A Charging Contacts

When you place the AIBO
Entertainment Robot on the Energy
Station, the charging contacts on the
AIBO robot’s stomach connect to the
station and the AIBO robot’s battery is
charged.

B SET/CANCEL button

Press this button to put the display panel
into the setting mode. Press it a second
time to return the display to the normal
mode.

C MODE/NEXT button

Press to change the indication in the
display panel. In the setting mode,
pressing this button changes the item you
are setting.

6

®

0
qa

D DISPLAY/- (minus) button

When the date or time indication is
displayed, press this button to change the
display format. In the setting mode, each
press of the button decreases the value.
Hold down the button to decreases the
value continuously.

E LIGHT/+ (plus) button

In the normal mode, press this button to
turn ON the backlight.
In the setting mode, press this button to
increases the value that is displayed.
Holding down the button increases the
value continuously.

F Placement detection switch

Detects when the AIBO robot is
positioned on the Energy Station.

24

G AIBO® card pocket

This holds the provided AIBO cards.

H Station pole

The AIBO robot uses this as a reference
guide to determine the position of the
Energy Station when self-charging.

I Foot stopper

These guides help the AIBO robot to
correctly position itself when sitting on the
Energy Station to self-charge. (The AIBO
robot mounts the Energy Station by
backing on to it.)

In this guide, the Energy Station (ERA-7P1) is referred to as the “Energy Station”.

J AC Adapter terminal (on the base of

the Energy Station)

Connect this terminal to the AC adapter
supplied with the AIBO robot or the
optional AC adapter ERA-201P1.

K Station marker

The AIBO robot uses this as a reference
guide to determine the position of the
Energy Station when self-charging

L Date / Time / Time zone / Volume

level indication

M Battery indicator

Indicates the AIBO robot’s battery level.

Introduction

25

Playing with the

®

AIBO

Entertainment

Robot

Now, let’s try playing with the AIBO robot. At first, the AIBO
robot will come to life as a mature robot.
Here we will describe how to prepare and play with the AIBO
robot, and provide further information, such as how to place
the AIBO robot on the Energy Station.

Getting started

S

To start out, you will need the AIBO® Entertainment Robot and the Energy Station.
The supplied battery is delivered with minimal charge. Before you begin playing with the
AIBO robot, you must fully charge the battery. See page 51 for detailed instructions on
charging the battery.
First insert the battery and AIBO MIND software “Memory Stick
robot and set up the Energy Station. Charge the battery.

™

” media into the AIBO

Preparing the AIBO robot

Insert the battery and AIBO MIND software “Memory Stick” media into the AIBO robot.

1 Securely hold the body of the AIBO robot from above, turn it upside down,

and open the stomach compartment cover.

Caution

• Always lift the AIBO robot by its body, not by it extremities.

• Do not touch the charging contacts located on the AIBO robot with your hand. Touching the contacts

will reduce contact quality.

2 Take out the AIBO MIND software “Memory Stick” media from its plastic

case.

lide the stomach compartment

cover in the direction of the arrow.

28

3 Insert the AIBO MIND software

“Memory Stick™” media into the AIBO®
Entertainment Robot.

With the arrow pointing down and the angled
corner facing the AIBO robot’s tail, insert the
AIBO MIND software “Memory Stick” media
into the AIBO robot until it is flush with the
body.

When you want to eject the “Memory
Stick” media

Press the “Memory Stick” media eject button (Z) located next to the “Memory Stick”
media slot.

Caution

Do not set the safety switch of the “Memory Stick” media to “LOCK”.
Doing so will make it impossible for AIBO’s learning and picture taking
functions to work.

Playing with the AIBO® Entertainment Robot

Angled
corner

4 Insert the battery into the slot until it clicks into place.

Push here

2

1Insert the latch of

the stomach
compartment
cover into the
receiving hinge on
the AIBO robot’s
body.

29

Preparing the Energy Station

To get the Energy Station ready for use, attach the station pole and station marker. These two
parts will enable the AIBO
whenever it needs recharging (self-charging function). However, the Energy Station can also
be used without the station pole and station marker. If you don't want to use the self-charging
function, these attachments are not necessary.

Positioning the Energy Station

The AIBO robot’s self-charge operation, using the station pole and station marker, requires an
open space with a radius of at least 4 ft. (1.2 m) around the station pole. (the AIBO robot will
make a turn on top of the station marker and walk backwards over the Energy Station and sit down
facing outwards.) For details on appropriate locations to place the Energy Station, see page 52 and
page 53.

®

Entertainment Robot to find the Energy Station on its own

1 Attach the station marker first, followed by the station pole.

Attach the station
marker as shown.

Reverse side of station
marker.

30

Attach station pole.