AIBO

Sony's AI robot dog that learns, grows and bonds with its household

Beginner API
Screenshot of AIBO, Sony's AI robot dog that learns, grows and bonds with its household

What is AIBO?

AIBO is an AI chat bot tool. Sony's AIBO is a physical robot dog whose expressions, tricks and preferences develop over time based on its household. Owners feed it virtual food, introduce it to other AIBO units and manage it through the My aibo app, with an optional AI Cloud Plan and a developer API for extension.

AIBO is Sony's robotic companion dog, sold in the US through us.aibo.com in a rotating lineup of color editions (Black Sesame, Strawberry Milk, Espresso, Kinako and Cocoa Chiffon among them). It is a physical consumer product rather than a software tool, and the site frames it around three pillars: expressive design, everyday communication, and long term growth. Lifelike expressions, a broad movement vocabulary and reactions to touch (stroking, turning, offering a hand) are the core of the charm the product sells. Behavior is the differentiator. AIBO gets to know its name and answers when called, recognizes different members of a household, responds happily to petting, plays with toys (pink ones are a stated favorite), performs tricks on command and returns to its charging station on its own when tired. The site stresses that each unit develops an identity shaped by its living environment and its relationship with people, so tricks, facial expressions and preferences drift over time. Two features extend the routine: virtual food that owners serve and watch the dog eat, and a Friends mode where other AIBO units appear through the My aibo app to eat, do tricks and play together. AIBO suits households that want an interactive pet without feeding, walking or veterinary obligations, and owners who enjoy a device that changes over months rather than behaving identically forever. It also has a developer angle: Sony publishes an application programmable interface and a list of linkable app services, and the site has run developer webinars, so technically minded owners can extend what the robot does. The practical catch is continuity. The AI Cloud Plan is a separate subscription, system software updates arrive periodically, and the experience is tied to the My aibo app and to Sony's cloud services. Compared with a screen based companion app, AIBO is expensive, immobile outside the home and dependent on hardware that Sony alone services.

How do you use AIBO?

  1. 1Choose an edition and buy the unit
    The Store page lists the AIBO editions currently sold in the US. Pick a colorway and complete the purchase there before setting anything up.
    AIBO — Choose an edition and buy the unit
  2. 2Install the My aibo app
    The companion app is how feeding, friends and tricks are controlled. The download page points to the current app build for supported phones.
    AIBO — Install the My aibo app
  3. 3Set up the charging station and first session
    Place the charging station where AIBO will spend idle time. The robot returns to it by itself when tired, so the location matters for daily use.
  4. 4Teach the name and let it learn the household
    Speak to AIBO regularly so it associates its name with attention, and let it meet each person at home. Recognition of household members builds through repeated contact.
    AIBO — Teach the name and let it learn the household
  5. 5Add feeding and friends as regular activities
    Serve virtual meals and watch the reaction, then bring other AIBO units into the app so the dogs interact. Both features are optional but break up the routine.
    AIBO — Add feeding and friends as regular activities
  6. 6Watch for software updates and plan extensions
    Check the news feed for system software updates, which arrive as numbered releases. Owners who want more can review the linkable app services and the developer API.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Reactions to touch, voice and toys give it a more physical presence than screen based companionsAI
  • Behavior and preferences shift over time, so each unit develops its own characterAI
  • Virtual food and Friends mode add repeatable activities beyond basic tricksAI
  • Self docking at the charging station removes a daily choreAI
  • Sony exposes an API and linkable app services for owners who want to build on itAI

Cons

  • Premium hardware cost on top of a separate AI Cloud Plan subscriptionAI
  • No pricing, subscription rate or hardware figure is published on the homepageAI
  • Dependent on the My aibo app and Sony cloud services, so longevity rests with the vendorAI
  • System software updates are periodic and installed rather than user controlledAI
  • Limited to indoor home use, with none of the outdoor exercise a real dog providesAI

How much does AIBO cost?

Pricing

The homepage lists the robot dog in the Store but does not state a hardware price or an AI Cloud Plan rate. The AI Cloud Plan is presented as a separate feature, so budget for the device plus an ongoing subscription.

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Integrations

Sony publishes an API and a list of linkable app services, and has run developer webinars on extending AIBO. The My aibo app is the main consumer integration point.

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Features

Expressive movements and reactions to stroking and voice, name recognition, household member recognition, command tricks, toy play, autonomous return to the charging station, virtual feeding, Friends mode for interaction between AIBO units through the My aibo app, and gradual personality development.

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Frequently asked questions about AIBO

  • How much does AIBO cost?
    The homepage lists the robot dog in the Store but does not state a hardware price or an AI Cloud Plan rate. The AI Cloud Plan is presented as a separate feature, so budget for the device plus an ongoing subscription.
  • Does AIBO have an API?
    Yes, AIBO offers an API.
  • How do you use AIBO?
    The walkthrough on this page covers 6 steps: 1. Choose an edition and buy the unit 2. Install the My aibo app 3. Set up the charging station and first session 4. Teach the name and let it learn the household 5. Add feeding and friends as regular activities 6. Watch for software updates and plan extensions.
  • What platforms does AIBO support?
    AIBO is available on iOS and Android.
  • What does AIBO integrate with?
    Sony publishes an API and a list of linkable app services, and has run developer webinars on extending AIBO. The My aibo app is the main consumer integration point.
  • What are the limitations of AIBO?
    Premium hardware cost on top of a separate AI Cloud Plan subscription. No pricing, subscription rate or hardware figure is published on the homepage. Dependent on the My aibo app and Sony cloud services, so longevity rests with the vendor.

Status

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Added10/21/2026

Platforms

iOSAndroid

Pricing

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