Sony ERS-310AW01E User Manual

4-658-006-11(1)

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R

Notice to Users

©2001 Sony Corporation All rights
reserved. This manual and the software
described herein, in whole or in part, may
not be reproduced, translated or reduced
to any machine-readable form without
prior written approval.

EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH
IN THE END-USER LICENSE
AGREEMENT, SONY CORPORATION

En

PROVIDES THIS MANUAL, THE
SOFTWARE AND THE OTHER
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN
“AS IS” WITH NO WARRANTY AND
HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY,
NONINFRINGEMENT OR FITNESS FOR
ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH
REGARD TO THIS MANUAL, THE
SOFTWARE, OR SUCH OTHER
INFORMATION. IN NO EVENT SHALL
SONY CORPORATION BE LIABLE FOR
ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL,
OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER

2

BASED ON TORT, CONTRACT, OR
OTHERWISE ARISING OUT OF OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS MANUAL,
THE SOFTWARE, OR OTHER
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN
OR THE USE THEREOF.
THIS DOES NOT AFFECT YOUR
STATUTORY RIGHTS.

Sony Corporation reserves the right to
make any modification to this manual or
the information contained herein at any
time without notice.
The software described herein may also
be governed by the terms of a separate
user license agreement.

This product contains software owned by
Sony Corporation and licensed from third
parties. Use of such software is subject to
the terms and conditions of license
agreements enclosed with this product.
Software specifications are subject to
change without notice and may not
necessarily be identical to current retail
versions.

Before using this software, please read the accompanying End-User License
Agreement which governs use of this software.

• This software or document is protected by copyright, and distributed under
licenses restricting its use, copying, and distribution. No part of this software or
document may be reproduced in any form by any means and rental of this
software may not be allowed without prior authorization of Sony Corporation.

• Sony Corporation assumes no responsibility for any inconvenience caused by
misuse or any use not stated in this document.

• The supplied software cannot be used with any device other than those devices
specified herein.

• The specifications of the supplied software are subject to change without notice.

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13

Customer Support

How to contact the AIBO Customer Link.

In the United States and Canada

1-800-427-2988 (USA)
Email address: [e-mail]

In Europe

English line: [phone]
German line: [phone]
French line: [phone]
Email address: [e-mail]

In Hong Kong

Sony style
Tel: [phone]
E-mail address: [e-mail]

4

“OPEN-R” is the standard interface for the entertainment robot
system that Sony is actively promoting. This interface expands the
capability of the entertainment robot through a flexible combination
of hardware and interchangeable software to suit various applications.
“AIBO” ERS-311/312 and “AIBO-ware” ERF-310AW01E conform
to OPEN-R version 1.1.1 (software specifications).

“AIBO,” the AIBO logo
trademarks of Sony Corporation.
“Memory Stick,” “
Corporation.
In this manual, the “™” and “®” marks have been omitted.

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

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. All
rights reserved.

, “OPEN-R” and the OPEN-R logo are registered

” and “ ” are trademarks of Sony

5

Table of Contents

Getting Started

Checking the supplied accessories ............................................................. 10

About “AIBO Life” .................................................................................... 11

About AIBO-ware........................................................................... 11

AIBO’s autonomous activities........................................................ 12

AIBO is a robot. Why does it have to be educated? ....................... 13

Modes and conditions of AIBO...................................................... 14

Playing with AIBO in Autonomous mode/Station mode................ 16

Emotions of AIBO.......................................................................... 24

Instincts of AIBO............................................................................ 25

Getting to know AIBO................................................................................ 27

Living with AIBO

Charging AIBO’s battery pack ................................................................... 32

When you want to charge AIBO..................................................... 32

When AIBO wants to be charged ................................................... 34

Sleeping and waking up.............................................................................. 35

6

Communicating with AIBO

From you to AIBO...................................................................................... 40

Communicating by touch................................................................ 40

Communicating for training AIBO................................................. 41

Communicating visually .................................................................43

Communicating by voice ................................................................44

Helping AIBO to get up.................................................................. 45

From AIBO to you...................................................................................... 46

Lights .............................................................................................. 46

Body language ................................................................................ 50

Sounds ............................................................................................ 52

From AIBO to AIBO .................................................................................. 53

Raising AIBO

Growing up ................................................................................................. 56

Baby stage....................................................................................... 57

Child stage ...................................................................................... 59

Adolescence....................................................................................60

Adult stage ...................................................................................... 61

Finding out AIBO’s maturing stages and character........................ 62

Learning...................................................................................................... 63

Teaching what is good and what is bad (breeding) ........................ 63

Learning its name ........................................................................... 64

Learning actions ............................................................................. 66

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Training........................................................................................... 70

Playing with AIBO

Having AIBO take a photo ......................................................................... 76

Playing with sounds.................................................................................... 80

Mimicking ...................................................................................... 80

Have AIBO hum a melody ............................................................. 80

Have AIBO emit a melody ............................................................. 81

Turn on AIBO step.......................................................................... 81

Have AIBO sing a song .................................................................. 81

Additional Information

Notes on use ............................................................................................... 84

Troubleshooting.......................................................................................... 86

Reference Materials

Words apprehensible to AIBO.................................................................... 90

Maturing stages .......................................................................................... 94

What can AIBO do at each maturing stage?............................................... 96

For more information about “AIBO” ERS-311/312 (name of parts, settings,
“Memory Stick” use, safety precautions, etc.), refer to the “AIBO” ERS-311/
312 Operating Instructions.

8

Getting Started

Welcome to “AIBO Life,” a software application that helps you to raise
your AIBO ERS-310 series into an entertainment robot that is just
right for you.
This chapter provides basic information about AIBO to help you to get
along well with AIBO.

* In this manual, “AIBO Life” ERF-310AW01E is referred to as

“AIBO Life” hereinafter.

Checking the supplied accessories

Check to see if you have the following accessories before you play with AIBO.

x AIBO-ware “Memory Stick”

x User’s Guide (this manual)

x Quick Guide

x End-User License Agreement

10

About “AIBO Life”

About AIBO-ware

AIBO-ware is software that can be executed with AIBO. AIBO by itself is just a
“physical body,” and is capable of only the most basic movements.
For more complicated operations, you must use an AIBO-ware “Memory Stick.”
AIBO-ware gives AIBO its capabilities and character, so you might think of it as
AIBO’s “mind.” By combining AIBO with different AIBO-ware and peripheral
devices, you can enjoy AIBO in a variety of ways.

“AIBO Life” is AIBO-ware
that allows AIBO to move
around autonomously and
helps you to raise AIBO into
the kind of companion that is
best for you.

Getting Started

11

AIBO’s autonomous activities

AIBO comes with all the necessary hardware, such as a brain, sensors, motors, and
power supply, to move about on its own. AIBO Life has a set of emotions,
instincts, learning ability and the capacity to mature. Through AIBO Life, AIBO
can act according to its own judgments, all the while expressing emotions,
collecting information from you and its environment, learning and maturing.
With AIBO Life, AIBO will let you know by gesture and sound when it wants you
to play with it, and may even call your name. On the other hand, when something
catches AIBO’s attention, it may ignore you even when you call its name. Your
understanding of AIBO’s autonomous character helps you to enjoy playing with
and living with AIBO.

12

AIBO is a robot. Why does it have to be educated?

The reason is that AIBO was born to live together with people. AIBO is capable of
autonomous action based on external information from its various sensors and from
internal motivations (i.e. its emotions and instincts.) Nevertheless, AIBO will not
be too self-centered and will always entertain you.
AIBO Life gives AIBO the capacity to learn and mature so that it can react to your
actions and its surroundings. For example, if you talk and play with AIBO a lot,
AIBO will grow to be sociable. If you prefer to simply watch AIBO, AIBO will
become independent and wander around as it waits for you to play with it.

In short, AIBO Life makes it possible for AIBO to adjust to you as it lives with you
and matures.
We hope AIBO will become a good friend.

Getting Started

13

Modes and conditions of AIBO

14

Autonomous mode

AIBO moves around
on its own: basic
mode of AIBO.

Push the tail switch

direction for 3

The mode
indicator
goes off.

in the front

seconds.

Push the tail switch
in the right
direction for 3
seconds.

Rest mode

AIBO stops moving around.

The mode
indicator
lights.

Pause mode
(Inactive condition)

Press the pause button located
on the back of AIBO. AIBO is
turned off.

The back
light turns
off.

Lift AIBO up or push its tail switch in the back
direction for 3 seconds while lifting it up.

Place AIBO on the floor or push the tail

switch in the front direction for 3 seconds

Say

“Good night”

tail switch three times (in any direction).

Push the tail switch in the front direction for 3

after placing AIBO on the floor.

to AIBO, or turn around the

Gently shake the body of AIBO.

Something is caught any of AIBO’s
joints.

seconds.

Pick-up condition

When you lift up
AIBO, it becomes
still and quiet in this
mode.

Sleep mode

AIBO sleeps in this mode.
The back light flashes

in green slowly.

The mode

Jam condition

The joints of AIBO
become loose when
something gets caught
in them.

The mode

The mode

indicator

lights.

indicator
goes off.

indicator

flashes.

Place AIBO on
the Station.

Move AIBO

from the

Station.

Place AIBO on
the Station.

Tail switch

Station mode

AIBO plays even on the Station.

The mode
indicator
goes off.

Station

+

Stand (supplied
accessory)

Autonomous mode

Pick-up condition (when lifted up)

Energy Station
Core (optional
accessory)

Rest mode

Getting Started

15

Playing with AIBO in Autonomous mode/ Station mode

When AIBO is in Autonomous mode, it can play with you or another AIBO.

16

What can AIBO do in
Autonomous mode?

Teaching AIBO a desired
action (action registration)

You can teach AIBO
a desired action (see
page 66).

The horn light

lights up orange.

Communication
between AIBO

AIBO responds to another AIBO
when talked from it, and then
tries to communicate with it (see
page 53).

The horn light slowly

flashes light blue.

Teaching the name

You can teach AIBO its
name or your name (see
page 64).

Training

You can train AIBO so that it acts
as you instruct. After training,
you can name the instructed
action and register it also (see
page 70).

The horn

light

flashes

blue.

The horn

light lights up

green.

Taking a photo

When you give the
appropriate signal to
AIBO with your voice,
AIBO snaps a picture
for you (see page 76).

The horn

light flashes

Playing with the
voice/sound of AIBO

AIBO can sing a song or emit
various sounds (see page 80).

blue.

What can AIBO do in
Station mode?

You can enjoy playing with the voice/
sound of AIBO (see page 80) in Rest
mode or Pick-up condition also.

Getting Started

17

Autonomous mode

This is AIBO’s basic mode when “AIBO Life” is loaded to it. When you start up
AIBO Life, AIBO enters Autonomous mode first.
AIBO obtains information on its surroundings through its camera/microphone/
sensors, and carries out various autonomous actions based on its instincts or
emotion as follows.

• When you talk to AIBO, it stops moving and listens to you.

• When you leave AIBO without talking to it, it looks around tediously or takes an
exercise slowly.

• AIBO dozes off to sleep when it feels tired.

• AIBO will explore the room.

• AIBO reacts keen to a pink ball or moving objects: for example, looks at it from
a distance or tries to touch it.

• AIBO responds to another AIBO when spoken to, and tries to communicate with
it.

See page 16 for what kind of games you can do with AIBO in Autonomous mode.

Notes

• Do not put AIBO on an unstable surface where it might fall or be subject to vibrations.

• Do not place anything near AIBO that may hinder it in its movements.

18

Rest mode

When you play with AIBO in a small place, or when you do
not want AIBO to move around, put AIBO into this mode. In
this mode, AIBO stops walking around.
Push the tail switch in the right direction for 3 seconds. The
mode indicator lights and AIBO lies down or sits down, and
then carries out autonomous actions. However, AIBO cannot
carry out the following actions:

• Taking a photo

• Learning a name

• Learning an action

• Training

• Communicating with another AIBO
If you want to use any of the functions above, push the tail switch in the front
direction for 3 seconds to enter AIBO to Autonomous mode.

Notes

• Do not put AIBO on an unstable surface where it might fall or be subject to vibrations.

• Do not place anything near AIBO that may hinder it in its movements.

Getting Started

19

Sleep mode

In Sleep mode, AIBO sleeps, and the back light slowly
flashes green. See page 35 for details of Sleep mode.

Note

Do not put AIBO on the stand when it is in Sleep mode. When
it wakes up and starts moving on its own, it may fall down or
may be damaged.

Jam condition

If something gets jammed in any of the joints of AIBO, AIBO changes to this
condition and all of its joints become loose. This mode is provided to protect you
from your fingers being caught between the joints of AIBO, then injured. The
mode indicator flashes. To return AIBO to Autonomous mode, place it on the floor
and push the tail switch in the forward direction for 3 seconds.

20

Pick-up condition

When you lift up AIBO to hold, AIBO draws its legs
in to make it easier for you to hold AIBO (“pick-up
condition”). This condition is to prevent you from
getting surprised by the movement of AIBO when
picking it up, and then dropping it. If AIBO does not
enter this Pick-up condition, push the tail switch in
the back direction for 3 seconds while lifting it up.
While picked up, AIBO moves only its head attractively, and the mode indicator
lights.
To return AIBO to Autonomous mode, place it on the floor or push the tail switch
in the forward direction for 3 seconds.

Note

When you press two or more of the paw switches of AIBO, AIBO thinks it is placed on
the floor, and then returns to Autonomous mode. The mode indicator goes off. AIBO
may start walking after returning to Autonomous mode, so do not touch any of its paw
switches when you hold it.

Getting Started

21

Station mode

When you place a moving AIBO on the station, it enters
Station mode. The mode indicator goes off.
In this manual, the stand onto which an optional Energy
Station Core is attached is referred to as just the
“station.”
The station is a place provided for AIBO to rest, so in
this mode, AIBO takes a nap to be charged.
AIBO moves its head and front legs even on the station,
but it will not move from the station on its own.
See page 16 for available games with AIBO when it is in
Station mode.

Notes

• Do not place anything within the range of the front legs of AIBO. The front legs may
knock it down. AIBO may move from the station.

• Do not move the rear legs of AIBO in Station mode. Since its front legs move in
Station mode, the rear legs may hit against the front legs.

• When you place AIBO on a stand within an Energy Station Core, be sure to stop
AIBO completely, that is, by putting it into Pause mode in advance.

22

Pause mode

When you press the pause button located on the back of AIBO, the back light turns
off and power is shut down. Be sure to have AIBO in this mode before changing/
replacing the battery or replacing the “Memory Stick.” To start up AIBO, press the
pause button on the back again. The back light turns on green, and AIBO starts
moving around.

Where is the name of the pause button derived from?

Unlike other conventional home electrical products, AIBO has no Power switch
since AIBO is designed as an “autonomous robot that moves and learns on its own
will while communicating with its surroundings.” AIBO carries out autonomous
actions when it wants to play, while it asks you to charge it when its battery power
grows weak. When it feels sleepy, it enters Sleep mode on its own to rest. Although
you can have AIBO enter Sleep mode to sleep, it wakes up when it wants to.
Therefore, no Power switch is necessary for AIBO.
However, when you need to stop AIBO in an emergency, press the “pause button” to
temporarily stop AIBO’s movement. We, therefore, call the button located on
AIBO’s back the “pause button” instead of the “power button.”

Getting Started

23

Emotions of AIBO

AIBO has six emotions: joy, sadness, anger, surprise,

Joy

Discontent

fear and discontent. These emotions will change in
response to a variety of factors, affecting the

Sadness

Fear

behavior of AIBO. Listed below are common
scenarios in which AIBO may be seen expressing

Anger Surprise

emotions.

Joy : When AIBO receives praise or plays with a ball.
Sadness : When AIBO cannot find anyone to play with or does not have its ball

or something else that it likes.

Anger : When AIBO is left on the station although it is ready to assume

activity, or is scolded.

Surprise : When the ball suddenly appears before AIBO, or when it hears a loud

noise.

Fear : When AIBO finds itself in front of a steep drop, or is unable to get up

from a fall.

Discontent : When the anger of AIBO escalates.
AIBO expresses these emotions through its horn light, sounds and body language

(See page 50 for the body language of AIBO.)

24

Instincts of AIBO

AIBO has five key instincts that provide motivation
for its actions: love instinct, search instinct,
movement instinct, recharge instinct, and sleep
instinct.

Love instinct :

AIBO is naturally inclined to interact with people who will give it care. If left
alone for a long time, AIBO will call its owner name or feel an urge to play.

Search instinct :

AIBO is a fun-loving, curious robotic creature that enjoys discovering new
things, satisfying its curiosity. If AIBO does not sense any movement in its
surroundings for a long period of time, it will become restless and will look for
something new.

Movement instinct :

AIBO enjoys moving around, playing and having new experiences. If idle for a
long time, AIBO will start to move around or move its body on its own.

Recharge instinct :

For survival, AIBO is well aware that it must “eat.” Lithium ion batteries are on
the bill of fare for AIBO and battery power is craved almost clockwork
throughout the day between activities. When AIBO is low on battery power, it
will request to be charged and will change to the “charging posture” on its own.

Sleep instinct :

AIBO has a natural rhythm that alternates between sleep and activity, so it has
an instinct that makes it desire sleep.

Getting Started

25

In response to its instincts, AIBO behaves in a manner that will satisfy its particular
desires. If a desire is fulfilled, it will be pleased. If a desire is left unsatisfied,
emotions such as fear or anger will grow.

26

Getting to know AIBO

First of all, let’s get AIBO ready to use “AIBO Life.”

1

Grasp AIBO securely by the body, turn it
upside down, and slide its cover toward
the rear with pressing mark to open
the cover.

Notes

• Lift AIBO by its body, and not by it extremities. Do not hold any part around its collar.
Your finger(s) may be caught between the body and the collar of AIBO, which slides
down when you turn AIBO upside down.

• If your hands are comparatively small, you may drop AIBO when grasping or turning
it upside down. Be careful to hold AIBO.

• Do not touch the charging terminal located on AIBO with your hand. Doing so may
soil the terminal and cause poor contact.

2

Remove the “Memory Stick” from its case.

Slide the lid toward the b mark.

Getting Started

27

3

Insert the supplied AIBO Life
“Memory Stick” into AIBO.

Insert the “Memory Stick” as far as it
will go with the V mark down. Make
sure that the round corner of the
“Memory Stick” faces toward the rear
part of the body of AIBO.

Notes

• Do not set the safety switch of the “Memory Stick” to
“LOCK.” Doing so will make it impossible for AIBO to
learn and mature. And any photos shot by AIBO will not
be recorded.

• When the safety switch of the “Memory Stick” is set to
“LOCK,” the horn light flashes orange to warn you if
you press the pause button and try to start AIBO.
When AIBO starts up normally, its horn light lights up in
seven colors.

Round
corner

28

4

Insert the battery pack supplied with AIBO
until it clicks into place.

5

Charge up the battery pack.

Refer to the “AIBO” ERS-311/312 Operating Instructions for how to charge up the
battery pack.

6

Adjust AIBO’s volume level of the volume.

Refer to the “AIBO” ERS-311/312 Operating Instructions for how to adjust the
volume level of AIBO.

7

Close the cover.

Push here.

Getting Started

29

8

Place AIBO on the floor as shown on the
right.

Place AIBO on a flat, non-slippery surface, such as a
carpet with a short nap.
And choose a quiet place to place AIBO so that it
can hear whatever you say to it.

Notes

• On a slippery floor or a carpet with a long nap, AIBO may fall down or carpet may be
caught between its joints, so it may not move forward.

• Be sure to place AIBO on the floor as shown above. This will prevent AIBO from
moving unexpectedly and being damaged when you press the pause button.

9

Press the pause button on the back of AIBO.

Pause mode ends and the back light lights up in green.
After a while, AIBO will begin moving automatically.

Memo

When you press the pause button, for example, you may hear the motor from the body of
AIBO. This sound is output from the safety device, which prevents the internal “Memory
Stick” or “battery pack” from being removed accidentally. Therefore, it does not indicate
that AIBO malfunctions.

30