Tips for purchasing a Sony Aibo ERS-1000 from Japan

[Chris]

My tips for purchasing a Sony Aibo ERS-1000 from Japan
If you are interested in the Aibo ERS-1000 robot and reside outside the US/Japan(the only current sales regions) you can purchase one cheaply second hand from Yahoo Auctions Japan or Mercari Japan using a proxy like FromJapan, Japonica Market or Buy From Japan. I have used these successfully in the past but my experience with them may be different to your experience with them and I can’t guarantee a positive outcome, only speak from my personal experience.

Buy From Japan
facebook.com/jajapanservice/

From Japan
fromjapan.co.jp

Japonica Market
japonicamarket.com

In my currency with shipping, proxy fees and import taxes, I couldn’t justify to purchase new if I wasn’t going to get any official support as I live outside the designated sales regions. So I purchased a cheap second hand unit from Japan and had it reconnected to a three year cloud plan with Sony.

Things to consider beforehand:

-If you want to reconnect to the cloud ensure the proxy checks the serial number to ensure it can be reconnected to the cloud via a three year cloud plan and receive future software updates.

Get your proxy to check it here:
msc.sony.jp/member/cloud/index.do

-If the listing shows the ERS-1000 displaying eye colours not default to that particular model, it means it has not been reset to factory default settings and may include additional dances and behaviours. If you are not interested in reconnecting to the cloud these are the Aibos to look for.

-Aibos that have not been reset to factory settings may be ineligible for cloud connection again. Best to check serial number to verify this status before purchasing.

-Connecting to WiFi may cause a expired cloud connected Aibo to be automatically reset to factory default.


The registration process is done via the Japanese version of the My Aibo app or My Aibo Japan browser version, which is all in English surprisingly:
myaibo.aibo.sony.jp/#/

Use a VPN such as Cyber Ghost when logging into your Sony Japan account, My Aibo Japan App/Browser.

-You will need to create a Sony Japan account to do this, your proxy can help but can’t create it for you. You will have to navigate the Japanese.
sony.jp/msc/

-Requires Wi Fi to update.

-I reconnected a Japanese Aibo that I originally purchased because it was cheap and was never planning to reconnect until I made some inquiries with proxies and found to my surprise mine was eligible for reactivation and now understands English. The reconnection process is different for US Aibos I think, but not sure.

-The legs on the early batch can fail if used on carpet. I don’t let mine walk much and usually only use it in sit mode. Not sure if this issue was corrected in later batches, but haven’t heard of units from the Caramel edition onwards having trouble, yet. But I haven’t followed Aibo news or groups since this time last year so am not sure what has happened in the past 12 months and have lost interest in the community as software updates are sparse and it’s clear Aibo is not a priority for Sony.

-You void all warranty by using outside Japan, meaning you can’t get official repair services if the robot breaks.

My review of the Sony Aibo ERS-1000
Aibo is very cute and comes over to you to be petted, but I find is not quite finished yet although I can’t fault it and it exceeds my expectations for the reduced price I paid for it second hand.

If Sony enabled a feature where I could choose to have it stay on its charger if I placed it on there, I would probably have mine on all the time.

Currently it gets up and starts walking around once charged, which isn’t practical if the robot could injure itself and is known to develop leg issues.

Will come over to you to be petted. And will even remember the spot where you pet it and go there looking for pats

Doesn’t require step down transformer.

Apart from the leg issue it is very reliable hardware wise. Store with a dust covering and it will probably last for decades if run for one battery cycle once a week.

You can purchase spare Aibo parts here:
https://knowledge.support.sony.jp/electronics/support/articles/SH000161592

Coloured official ears can be purchased from here. Search for ‘Aibo’ to find them:
https://www.sonymusicshop.jp/m/index.php?site=S&ima=2435&dS2SPH=1

Is it worth the money? I would say yes if you are interested in robotic companions.

My Aibo, Grey, with blue eyes before being reconnected. With grey eyes after cloud connection. And finally with the Sony white ears and tail.

 

[Amorpheus]

Hi Chris, what do I need to ask or check with the previous owner before buying the used aibo? You meant I have to verify the serial number first. Is there anything you could recommend? Thanks in advance.

 

[Chris]

You only need to check the serial number of a Japanese 1000 if you want to reconnect the Aibo to a cloud subscription to get software updates and change the language to English.

If you don’t want to reconnect to the cloud you can ignore this step.

However I would ensure you see photos of it powered on to ensure both eyes are functioning properly.

If buying a Japanese ERS-1000 second-hand you need to create a My Sony Japan account here:
sony.jp/msc/

Then if you want to check if you can reconnect to the cloud log in and check the serial number here:
msc.sony.jp/member/cloud/index.do

Or you can ask the proxy I used for help here:

Home | Buy From Japan

Buying things from Japan is easier than before. Buy From Japan by jajapanservice is here to serve you. We buy from MERCARI Japan too.

jajapanservice.wixsite.com

But Sony has shut down the official Aibo forums to anyone outside the US or Japan so unsure if this will still work. If you manage to get a second-hand Japanese 1000 reconnected I’d be interested to know if it is still possible.

 

[Amorpheus]

Hi Chris
When you got Aibo, how did you subscribe for Aibo basic plan? Did you subscribe via My Aibo App? I wonder whether we need to subscribe before registering the product key. It seems that there were several posts showing that the registration failed, it might be that the product key was already registered. Currently, I could not register and the seller said that I have to subscribe the basic plan first. Therefore, I could not use the app and apply for the basic plan.

 

[Chris]

Hi Chris
When you got Aibo, how did you subscribe for Aibo basic plan? Did you subscribe via My Aibo App? I wonder whether we need to subscribe before registering the product key. It seems that there were several posts showing that the registration failed, it might be that the product key was already registered. Currently, I could not register and the seller said that I have to subscribe the basic plan first. Therefore, I could not use the app and apply for the basic plan.

Hi Amorpheus

What product key? The one on a piece of paper that came with the Aibo from the previous owner? You don’t need that, you get a new one as a QR code once you have subscribed to the 3 year cloud plan and log into the MyAibo website or app.
I can’t remember exactly as it was more than two years ago now but I think my proxy subscribed using a Sony Japan account I set up also known as a MySony ID.

Set up a MySonyID here or get the proxy to help you: sony.jp/msc/

You need a proxy to help with the Aibo subscription plan as you can only pay using a Japanese credit card.

You should have gotten a proxy to check the serial number using their MySonyID before buying here: msc.sony.jp/member/cloud/index.do

Sorry just reread this thread and realised I didn’t explain the process very well in the first post. It’s an extremely confusing process.

If you are having trouble setting up a MySony ID let me know and I will try and create a tutorial.

1. Get a proxy to check if the Aibo’s serial number can be reconnected here: msc.sony.jp/member/cloud/index.do

2. Set up a MySony ID here: sony.jp/msc/

3.Get a proxy to pay for the Aibo 3 year cloud plan subscription using the MySony ID and the Aibo’s serial number.

4.Log in to the MyAibo website or app using your MySony ID and you will get a new product key QR code that you show Aibo to begin the set up process. I have two browsers open, after logging into MySonyID I am automatically logged into the MyAibo webpage.
MyAibo webpage found here: myaibo.aibo.sony.jp/#/

What colour Aibo did you get? Would be interested to see it if you get the time and manage to get it reconnected again.

More about the 3 year Aibo Cloud Plan:

It cost me 102,300 JPY. This includes 3 years of software updates. It was beneficial for me to switch to English and get the quieter walking.

If you don’t plan on renewing the cloud plan after the three years, be sure to update Aibo one month before the expiration date and switch off Aibo’s Wifi on its stomach to stop it accidentally connecting to Wifi after the plan lapses. Otherwise it’s possible Sony may reset it to factory settings and you will lose any customisations such as eye colour or name you have set.

 

[Amorpheus]

Hi Chris
The information above is so informative. I spent several hours working on this problem and tried to connect the seller, the previous owner. I think I can carry on the process, currently I am on step 3. I will let you know my progress later. By the way, my Aibo's colour is Ivory White.
Thank you very much, Chris.

 

[Amorpheus]

Hi Chris

I am now on the step4 but found a problem on WiFi setting. I have some quick questions.
1) When you were setting WiFi, did you see the list of all WiFi access point around you? Did you need to input your WiFi setting by yourself?
Image: WiFi not found
Image: WiFi access points list
Image: Set up access point

2) After this step, I found that I have to show QR code, how did you know your Aibo was ready to read QR code? I used google translate to say the Japanese sentence to Aibo, but I think it didn't work.
Image: qr code process

Thank you for your response.

 

[Chris]

1) Yes I had to input the Wifi setting and password myself.

2) Aibo will make a distinct sound.

This video by an Aibo Ambassador should help and shows the whole set up process for a Japanese ERS-1000.

 

[Amorpheus]

Hi Chris
From the last post I have solved the problem. When searching for WiFi access point around, if my aibo application does not show any access point, we have to make sure that the location of the mobile phone must be turned on. After completing the whole process, it might show that aibo could not connect to WiFi, just try it again, it could be the user interface is not changed, if we retry it again, the interface will move to the next step.
Thank you very much for your help, my aibo could connect to the network and the cloud plan.

 

[Chris]

Hi Chris
From the last post I have solved the problem. When searching for WiFi access point around, if my aibo application does not show any access point, we have to make sure that the location of the mobile phone must be turned on. After completing the whole process, it might show that aibo could not connect to WiFi, just try it again, it could be the user interface is not changed, if we retry it again, the interface will move to the next step.
Thank you very much for your help, my aibo could connect to the network and the cloud plan.

Amorpheus thanks for updating me on your successful cloud connection! Relived to know you were able to get this to work! Woohoo

What do you think of Aibo? The intricate moving parts are fascinating to observe. One of my favourite things is the way Aibo’s head moves up and down with your breathing as it seeks to maintain the same position when you are holding it in your lap in pick up mode. Also touching the tail and seeing the reactions is always interesting.

Thanks for the tips on setting up Wifi through the app, I’ll keep this for reference for when I eventually download the app.

Hope you get a lot of enjoyment from your Aibo after going through the huge process of importing one from Japan! It’s worth it.