Sony discontinues Aibo robot dog in Japan

What happened

Sony announced Thursday that it will discontinue Japan sales of the ERS-1000 model of Aibo — a 30-centimeter-long robotic dog with animated ears, expressive eyes, and a nose camera — once current stock runs out. The company will maintain support services including tech support, replacement parts, and cloud subscriptions for existing owners.

Why it matters

Aibo's discontinuation marks the end of Sony's second run with the product; the original line sold more than 150,000 units before Sony stopped production in 2006, citing a tough business environment. The ERS-1000 had sold 20,000 units in its first six months after launch, suggesting the robot dog had regained consumer interest, but the decision to stop suggests Sony has concluded the Japan market no longer justifies continued sales.

What to watch

Sony has not disclosed plans for a next-generation Aibo or confirmed the status of sales in the United States, where the ERS-1000 retails for more than $3,000. The company's silence on future robot dog development leaves the timeline for any comeback unclear.