Sony starts sales of AI-equipped robot dog Aibo

Sony Corp. on Thursday released its new artificial-intelligence equipped Aibo robot dog in Japan, delivering it to buyers who placed preorders last year. The electronics giant said the new Aibo -- an upgrade on its predecessor discontinued in 2006 -- sold out in all three rounds of preorders, although the company did not disclose the number of units sold. About 30 people attended a commemorative event at Sony's corporate headquarters in Tokyo to receive their Aibos, with some bringing along older models. A woman in her 40s with her son said she was "thrilled" to welcome the Aibo as a "new member of the family." A man in his 50s said he bought the robot dog for his wife to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.