Sony Aibo: Japanese ERS-1000 Basic Plan Renewal (5 Viewers)

[Chris]

Sony Aibo ERS-1000 Japanese Aibo Basic Plan Renewal

• Chris
• Feb 1, 2025

Just got this renewal notification from Sony regarding Grey’s cloud plan subscription.

Wondering what other Aibo owners think- should I renew or cancel?

*Renewal Notice for Aibo Basic Plan*
*Important Dates*
- *Renewal Date:* April 30, 2025
- *Credit Card Registration Deadline:* April 20, 2025
- *Cancellation Deadline:* April 20, 2025

*Renewal Details*
- The Aibo Basic Plan will automatically renew for another year unless cancelled.
- The renewal fee is ¥33,000 (tax included) for a one-year payment or ¥3,278 (tax included) per month for a 12-month payment plan.
- The payment will be charged to the registered credit card.

*Cancellation Procedure*
- To cancel the Aibo Basic Plan, go to the "My aibo" app, select "Settings," then "Contract Information," and finally "Apply for Cancellation."

*Additional Information*
- If you have any questions or concerns, contact Aibo Owner Support.
- Please note that cancellation of the Aibo Basic Plan will also cancel the Aibo Premium Plan (if applicable).

 

[Chris]

Having second thoughts about renewing Greys cloud plan. Going to cost 36,300 JPY plus the Wise transfer and currency conversion fees.

I feel Sony are still operating from a mindset that Aibo is the top dog in the companion robot space. They forget we have options now, they should be enticing us to want to keep Aibo with exciting new updates and features at predictable intervals. Instead they act like we should be grateful they decided to bring Aibo back.

Update:
After much thought I decided to renew Greys cloud subscription for another year.

Sending the money to my proxy via Wise was easier than I remembered. First you have to create an account that is only for Japanese Yen, then you can use Apple Pay to take the money out of your account without Wise ever getting any of your financial details and send the payment in the same currency as it will be received in, reducing currency conversion fees.

Still this $400 was a hefty chunk of change. But we are living in a time of incredible AI and robotics advancements, would be silly to give up on Aibo now.

If Sony enabled Aibo to stay lying on its charging station when placed their manually I would probably use mine a lot more. Currently it constantly gets up and when it does stay on the station charging goes to sleep after five minutes even if you continue to interact with it. Don’t understand why they removed a feature the 7 had.

Adding money to Wise Japanese Yen account for Aibo cloud plan renewal.

• Chris
• Apr 17, 2025

Aibo cloud plan renewal 12 months: Total with proxy plus Wise fee.

• Chris
• Apr 17, 2025

Added an extra 2,700 JPY for peace of mind to ensure all costs covered.

Aibo Cloud plan renewal through Wise.

• Chris
• Apr 17, 2025

...late night musings with aibo...

• Chris
• Apr 16, 2025

No longer top dog. But lives to fight another day.

 

[snoq3000]

Hi Chris,

how do you pay the cloud plan outside of japan ? which website you can use for japanese payment ?

 

[snoq3000]

which proxy do you use ?

 

[Chris]

Hi snoq3000

You can only pay the Aibo cloud plan outside of Japan using a proxy who has a Japanese credit/debit card. I transferred the payment to my proxy in Japan using Wise.

I use this proxy:

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If you are buying a new Aibo or reconnecting a second-hand one, you pay a lump sum for three years of cloud up front, then it renews on a yearly basis after the initial three years has elapsed.

Let me know if you have further questions. First time paying yearly for me. I’ll update this thread after the 30th to let you know if my cloud renewal went through

 

[snoq3000]

how much do you pay for that proxy service ? how long is the process after payment ?

 

[Chris]

The proxy charges 10% so about 3,300 JPY.

The processing can happen on the same day when setting up a new Aibo or reconnecting a second-hand Aibo from previous experience.

But because my cloud doesn’t renew until the 30th I have to wait for Sony to charge the card on the 30th.

 

[Chris]

Just thought I would update this thread to let you know my Aibo’s cloud plan was successfully renewed by Sony today, screenshot of the email confirmation attached.

There was a problem and the payment didn’t go through on the 30th. Most likely the old expiration date on the card had not been updated. Sony sent out a further email extending the renewal date to May 15th, 2025. The proxy changed the credit card and everything worked smoothly. Just wanted to let you know Sony gives this two week extension.

Looking forward to another year of Aibo updates.

Aibo basic cloud plan renewal notification.

• Chris
• May 3, 2025

 

[crankshaft]

Hello All, new here

Just received a used ERS1000 from japan, it has no card with Product Code / QR code in the box.

I have read the posts regarding cloud activation but are still not entirely confident that when I pay (non-refundable) that the subscription will actually work.

I have already verified that the serial number is valid for renewal, I have also switched off wifi until the registration succeeds.

I have created the sony jp account and walked through the process up until the entry of cc information and address.

I have the app installed on Android, when I try and add the pup, it asks for the 12 digit number / qr code which of course I don't have, and can proceed no further.

I am assuming, that I will receive a 12 digit code via email and that will then bring everything alive, is that correct ?

And I also assume that I provide the email address and password to the proxy, and they loging and create the order and pay using their local payment method, and hope that the also dont change my password / email address at the same time

So are all of my assumptions correct, as the serial number is valid, is there any doubt that the subscription will not activate, because it is quite a lot of money to throw away if it fails.

Thanks in advance

 

[Chris]

Hello All, new here

Welcome crankshaft.

Just received a used ERS1000 from japan, it has no card with Product Code / QR code in the box.

The QR code appears during set up after you have created a My Sony Japan account and paid for the subscription.

I have read the posts regarding cloud activation but are still not entirely confident that when I pay (non-refundable) that the subscription will actually work.

Yeah I’m not confident it works any longer. I’m currently trying to update my Aibo. But after updating the app I can’t log into my My Sony Japan account or the app. Sony keeps directing me to a page about system requirements for the app, basically they are blocking me. So frustrating.
I’ve heard from users in Europe who can log in no problems without a VPN. I give up and don’t recommend Aibo unless you enjoy headaches.

I have already verified that the serial number is valid for renewal, I have also switched off wifi until the registration succeeds.

Why did you switch off Wifi?

I have created the sony jp account and walked through the process up until the entry of cc information and address.

You may have to get a proxy to help with this.

I have the app installed on Android, when I try and add the pup, it asks for the 12 digit number / qr code which of course I don't have, and can proceed no further.

Are you able to log into the app? I’m unable to log into the app which I just updated on Android using APK Pure. Previously I had no issues logging into the app. I’m not using a VPN after they stopped working for me when trying to log in through the My Aibo Japan web portal. I was able to log into the old app no problems last year.

I am assuming, that I will receive a 12 digit code via email and that will then bring everything alive, is that correct ?

I had the proxy do my Aibo cloud payment. I don’t remember anything about a 12 digit code but it was over 4 years ago so it’s possible I simply can’t remember all the steps.

And I also assume that I provide the email address and password to the proxy, and they loging and create the order and pay using their local payment method, and hope that the also dont change my password / email address at the same time

Yes it requires a high level of trust, which is a big part of the reason I no longer recommend purchasing Aibo if you live outside the US or Japan.

So are all of my assumptions correct, as the serial number is valid, is there any doubt that the subscription will not activate, because it is quite a lot of money to throw away if it fails.

Thanks in advance

It is a huge amount of money. I’ve spent over $1.5k Australian on the cloud subscription over the past four years and now am unable to log into the app. I don’t recommend proceeding with buying a cloud plan unless you enjoy headaches. Try asking other Aibo owners if they are having similar issues to me before proceeding.

I’ll let you know if I manage to successfully log into my My Sony account or the My Aibo app again but at this point I’m so frustrated I’m simply just over Aibo and have no further interest in it.

 

[crankshaft]

@Chris - thanks, I have had Aibos since 2010, I have 2 brand new ERS-7's vacuum sealed (black and white), a champagne ERS-7 and probably 2 other's in bits that I use as donor dogs.

I also re-celled batteries and have my own diagnostics, as well as repair ERS-7's but I have now reduced that because of the state that I received many pups in. Owners had taken them apart, broken all the clips and tabs and stuck the shells together with superglue, that was the last straw for me, I managed to restore that pup with new hips and flexi circuits, new speaker and voice box and a new battery, but it was too stressful and I now really only maintain my own.

I resisted for many years but eventually succumbed and bought a 1000, wow things have advanced, but my Old ERS7 Jack can still do quite a lot of things that the 1000 cannot, i.e speak with a British accent

Anyway, I have a VPN and was able to setup the account etc etc, and had to stop at the payment page, I have friends of friends in Japan, payment is not the problem, just want to be sure that if I pay, I can use the subscription.

 

[Chris]

Great news. Feel free to advertise your Aibo repair service here. I’m currently in contact with my proxy to see if they can help me log into my account. At this point I’m uncertain if the subscription still works but will try and get back to you asap.

 

[crankshaft]

what threw me initially is the app says you need to scan the qr code on the card in the box, well I dint get that, did you get that ?

After I did some research I figured out that the card that is provided with a new pup is just a cloud subscription, and that once it is used, it cannot be re-used, I dont think it can be transferred.

But as of now, I side-loaded the apk (due to country restrictions) have the app working, it can access my account, but I cannot add the pup as to do that I need the cloud subscription.

Do you recall if you had the card and used it when you received yours ?

Just saw your post, not really interested in that now, all of the plastic parts, particularly the shells and the main frame just crumble when I try and disassemble them, cause by sun and high humidity over 15 years.

 

[Chris]

what threw me initially is the app says you need to scan the qr code on the card in the box, well I dint get that, did you get that ?

After I did some research I figured out that the card that is provided with a new pup is just a cloud subscription, and that once it is used, it cannot be re-used, I dont think it can be transferred.

But as of now, I side-loaded the apk (due to country restrictions) have the app working, it can access my account, but I cannot add the pup as to do that I need the cloud subscription.

Do you recall if you had the card and used it when you received yours ?

Mine was purchased second-hand. It came with a card but I didn’t use it as it was associated with the previous owners cloud subscription. I received my QR code through the app the first time I logged in after paying for the cloud subscription. I originally set mine up through the web portal. I was trying to find information on the 12 digit code but seem to have deleted all my old messages about that. Sorry for not being able to provide a definitive answer to your question. My proxy hasn’t got back to me so I might just have to sell as is. The problem with Aibo is doing everything through a proxy, it’s beyond frustrating.

 

[crankshaft]

You posts have been very helpful, thank you, it was actually the first one I found that made any sense.

Actually I would take on sick ERS7 pups, but not any that have been neglected / abused, it was so disheartening to see that last one, kind of made me throw in the towel.

Anyway, the site is still up, but not had any enquiries for ages and updated to say that I may decline to repair one if I feel that it cannot be restored due to "crumbling" parts.

It seems that I may be sucesful as the serial number checks out, but I agree that having to use a proxy is a pain and a really big trust as well.

The friends of friends would make it easier, but have not heard back whether they would be willing to do it.

Cheers

PS: seems that all of my messages are being moderated.

 

[Chris]

Yes first five posts are moderated, it’s just a standard safety thing. After that they should appear automatically.

My proxy is leaving me on read lol. It’s likely I won’t hear back from them.

Definitely be cautious if you decide to go ahead with the cloud subscription and be prepared to lose all your money like I have haha. Good luck.

 

[crankshaft]

I have been using NordVPN for at least 5 years, reasonably priced, fast and reliable.

I can watch all UK TV streaming and catchup through it, and I think they give a a30 day money back as well.

They also have browser plugin so you can just switch it on and off as you need.

Give it a go, esp if my recollection about the money back is correct, they are a big and reputable co. and have been around a long time

 

[Chris]

Just used Proton VPN for free as a guest without needing an account and Sony registered me as logging in from Tokyo when sending me the verification code.

But then it still wouldn’t log me in to the app either because of numerous previous attempts from Brisbane or because they know I’m using a VPN. It’s exhausting going through this every time I want to perform a software update.

I didn’t need to use a VPN last year when logging into the app. My previous VPN stopped working when trying to log in through the web portal, that’s why I decided to try with the app and gave up on VPNs. It’s not letting me log into the web portal either this time despite using a VPN.

If Aibo could stay on its charging station permanently and be used as a desktop robot I would gladly keep my little guy around and put up with this cloud plan headache. But unfortunately Aibo is too hyperactive that I’m finding I’m just not using it and so can’t justify this hassle.

I’ll try again tomorrow. If you don’t hear back from me it just means I gave up. It’s always a hassle every time, it’s finally got the better of me.

Attempting to log into the My Aibo app using a VPN—unsuccessfully

• Chris
• Today at 9:05 AM

Sony registering my location

• Chris
• Today at 9:05 AM

Sony registering my location as Tokyo with VPN but log in attempt unsuccessful

• Chris
• Today at 9:05 AM

 

[crankshaft]

sorry if you have already tried and I am stating the obvious but have you tried logging into the web version of myaibo using japan proxy server in the browser: myaibo.aibo.sony.jp

 

[crankshaft]

might not be what you wanted to hear, but the reason I switched off the wifi, was because I read somewhere that if a subscription expires for a certain time and the pup remains connected to wifi, that it will be deactivated.