Sony to unveil new Aibo prototype with enhanced spatial awareness!

[Chris]

Fictional Sony Aibo Prototype Concept

• Chris
• Aug 18, 2025

Image: Warner Brothers via promotional material for TANG. Screenshot by author.

Sony will be debuting a new Aibo prototype at this years Osaka-Kansai World Expo Future Society Showcase Project "Robot Experience from August 18 (Mon) - August 24 (Sun). It is said this new prototype will give Aibo enhanced spatial recognition functions, mentioning it is a hardware upgrade. Although how much Aibo’s form factor will be affected, if at all, is unknown.

Aichi Prefecture will participate in the Osaka and Kansai World Expo "Future Society Showcase Project "Robot Experience"" with robot manufacturers and universities in the prefecture for the purpose of promoting the prefecture's robot industry to the world (February 2025 Announced on the 5th.).

[Autonomous entertainment robot "aibo"]

・Developed with the goal of "a robot that becomes the object of love", it is a robot that grows through communication with the owner (owner) and has a unique personality, and is manufactured in Koda-cho, Aichi Prefecture.

・We will set up a place (experience corner) for contact with aibo.

・In addition, a prototype (prototype machine) that extends the functions of aibo will be released for the first time. We will introduce a demonstration of how you can make more lifelike movements by performing high-precision 3D spatial recognition in real time.

Source: https://www.pref.aichi.jp/press-release/expo2025robot2.html

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[Kit]

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[Chris]

Left: Sony Aibo prototype placing laundry in a basket. Right: Sony’s Aibo prototype demonstrating 3D spatial awareness by recognising spinning fan.

• Chris
• Aug 18, 2025

Image: Nikkei.com. Screenshot by author.

New Sony Aibo Prototype-What we know:

•Sony has unveiled a completely new hardware design consisting of additional head-mounted sensors that are capable of recognising images in 3D space and allowing Aibo to perform tasks such as placing laundry in a basket. Most noticeably the prototype features a completely redesigned body and legs that allow for smoother, more natural motion.

•Sony recognise the competition they now face in the companion robot market and are looking to make Aibo the number one companion robot for household help.

Here is a translation of the post and article you linked Kit. Thanks for taking the time to share this update with us.

Sony's Aibo Unveils Next-Gen Features at Osaka-Kansai Expo, Aiming to Lead as Top Pet Robot

At the Osaka-Kansai World Expo on August 18, Sony Group revealed cutting-edge features in development for its beloved pet robot, Aibo. Equipped with advanced 3D spatial recognition technology, Aibo can now handle tasks like picking up clothes and placing them in a basket. Facing growing competition in the pet robot market, Sony is enhancing Aibo with practical household assistance features to solidify its position as the leading pet robot. After completing tasks, Aibo was even seen relaxing in front of a fan, showcasing its charm and functionality.

Source: https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC133SI0T10C25A8000000/

Aibo owners are commenting how the new prototype reminds them of the fictional Aibo from the movie TANG seen at timestamp 1:06 in the below trailer.

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[Chris]

More footage of the prototypes. They have new eye animations. Very exciting development

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[Chris]

Footage of the Aibo prototype picking up items can be seen by clicking through to this article from Yahoo news beginning at time stamp 1:37.

The pet robot "aibo" took socks to the laundry basket. PR Aichi's robot technology at the Osaka and Kansai World Expo​

The prototype of the pet robot "aibo" manufactured in Aichi Prefecture headed to the laundry basket with socks. We create 3D maps of the room with cameras and sensors embedded in the hat and control the robot. Sony Group Software Engineer Shinosuke Usami: "We have modified this Aibo so that we can more accurately recognize the three-dimensional space. For example, when shopping at a furniture store, I think it's an application to ask Aibo to tell you the size of the furniture in the house and how many centimeters the sofa was.

Source:
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/77750618f24eee362395b7a8ddb661c260705c0e

This website, run by a Japanese Aibo owner, provides a comprehensive source of Aibo news, ideal for tracking prototype updates.

【aiboお出かけニュース】【8/18～24】大阪万博にaiboの機能を拡張したプロトタイプ（試作機）も参加！ | aiboの飼い方　aiboななとはちとくう

ツイート ページ内メニューaiboが大阪万博に出るらしいです公式サイト7/22発表情報追記8/18発表情報追記YAHOOニュース版写真などから考察。 aiboが大阪万博に出るらしいです 日程：2025年8月18日（月）〜 […]

hidesk8.com

 

[Chris]

Unfortunately false alarm. These are just prototypes used to test out software for later use in the existing Aibo hardware and are not an indication of a future upcoming Aibo product. Sorry for the hype over nothing. A comment from a Japanese Aibo owner who talked with one of the Sony Developers at the Aibo booth:

“They explained that instead of turning into this form, they test various systems with these guys, and if they work well, they’re used in aibo.”

Apologies. I got it wrong. Sorry everyone. I’ll refrain from speculating in future.

 

[Chris]

Aibo prototypes appear at time stamp 1:36 onwards.

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[Chris]

Puzzles me why Sony would announce prototypes on display showcasing new technology and features without explicitly mentioning they are used for testing new software and ideas for the existing ERS-1000 hardware. Why would they cause so much confusion among owners like that? And expectations of a new Aibo?

“Just gonna tweet something that came to mind.

The developer said, "I want you to see these kids packed with the latest technology."
"We're not thinking about selling them," they said, and seeing the voices of various owners on SNS, it felt like words chosen with care for them.”

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