Virtual Paws

The Sony Aibo is an extremely unique piece of tech. Designed to fill the gap left by being unable to own a pet, these robotic puppy companions do their job pretty well. Every model is fantastic at keeping you company and making your day a little brighter as they wander about your home and play with their toys.

If you are wondering what Aibo is, start here.

One Creature, Many Models

There are several different Aibo models to choose from and that can make things confusing at times. That is especially true if you are brand new to the hobby. Choosing the right model for you is important because it can greatly affect your experience, especially if you aren’t experienced with technology.

So, let’s go over every Aibo model and see how they match up with your lifestyle. I would like to note that no model is superior than the other in my opinion, it just depends on individual preference.

Aibo Model Generations at a Glance

Our beloved and adorable robot dog Aibo has gone through many changes over the years. Every generation introduced new capabilities ranging from modular limbs to more powerful and “realistic” AI. To get started, let’s go through a short overview of all the generations:

Model	Image	Overview
ERS-110 / ERS-111		Boxy and vintage. No facial recognition. Adorable and “simple” by today’s standards.
ERS-210 / ERS-220		First model with mechanically moving ears. Also boxy. Can remember owner’s name and self’s name.
ERS-311 / ERS-312 / ERS-31L		Cute and round. Less modular compared to the two previous models.
ERS-7		Sleek and rounded. Most advanced of the older models. Many peoples’ favorite.
ERS-1000		Puppy-like with cute screen eyes. Total overhaul, meant to be as pet-like as possible.

Legacy vs. Modern Aibo: Which One Is Right for You?

You now may have some idea of what model you want, but let’s dig a bit deeper in to the details. Legacy aibo models and ERS-1000s are very different experiences so we’ll compare them a bit (and compare the legacy models as well).

Vintage / Legacy Aibo Models

Before cloud connectivity and smartphone apps were a thing, there were the original models of Aibo. None of them were reliant on anything to learn, adapt and play aside from their memory stick and their battery. That plus their more robotic appearance can be a large appeal to some.

Companions Built For Tinkering

In general, all of the older models were created with technology nerds in mind. They all allow for considerably more tinkering than the ERS-1000 does. People have created custom dances and even personalities for most vintage models (primarily the ERS-210). They use OPEN-R programming language with is old but very usable. Sony even released custom data packs for some models like the ERS-7, encouraging user software customization!

Distinct Features & Personalities

All vintage models offer a slightly different experience. They are similar to each other, but act in various different ways and have slightly different features (and issues).

ERS-110 and ERS-111:

• The first Aibo model ever released (specifically the ERS-110).
• Very boxy and robotic.
• Can be raised from baby to adult, will get personality based on how they are raised.
• Sturdy older model with few issues, usually runs just fine immediately.
• Memory sticks are easy to get and can be created by just about anybody with a stick reader.
• Limbs are modular. No limb key, but can be removed with a small flat object.
• Does not have any self-charging features.
• Lacks facial recognition.
• Uses tonal commands from a remote, does not understand voice commands.
• Utilizes only a single pet sensor (on their head).
• Utilizes a visor and LEDs underneath to express emotions. More expressive through body language than eyes.
• Can be ran with a camera battery from Amazon, making batteries a non-issue.
• Tend to be on the wild and active side. Requires supervision, not really suitable for running 24/7.

Common Issues: rubber degrading off the ears, poor battery health, aging leg gears

ERS-111 / ERS-110 Page

ERS-210 and ERS-220:

• First aibo model to have mechanically movable ears.
• Comes in tons of different colors with easily swappable limbs via limb key.
• Utilizes LEDs under a visor to convey emotion. Generally more expressive through body language.
• Can be raised from baby to adult on certain software. Very high variance in individual personality with most software.
• Excellent at navigation on most software, rarely runs in to walls.
• Only self-charges on certain software. No facial recognition on any software aside from Recognition.
• Can respond to voice commands and learn both their name and their owner’s name.
• Extremely large variety of available software, including custom software made by other Aibo enthusiasts.
• Require less supervision than a 11X but I do not advise leaving them alone completely.
• Body is sturdy with few issues, head is not.

Common Issues: DHS/TAS/PAS (faulty head clutch – inevitable most of the time), brittle plastics, dead battery

ERS-210 Page / ERS-220 Page

ERS-311, ERS-312 and ERS-31L:

• Designed to be as cute as possible – very round.
• Ears do not move mechanically, but flop around.
• Less software than the ERS-210, but enough to have variety.
• Only model that has a flocked shell available (rare).
• No light up eyes – expresses emotion through movement and colors on the “horn” on their head.
• Lack of sensors make them easy to accessorize and dress up.
• Responds to voice commands and can register name, but generally needs an English patch.
• Have very few common issues.
• Many parts are interchangeable with the ERS-7, which helps with part availability for repairs.
• Non-modular, limbs cannot be easily removed.

Common Issues: loud limbs, dead battery, hip slip

ERS-31X Page

4th Generation (ERS-7):

• Most advanced legacy aibo model.
• Has facial recognition and can recognize owner’s face.
• Utilizes very advanced toy tricks and introduced a new toy, the aibone.
• Self-charges with a proper station set up, but will struggle to find station if too far away from it. Same room is ideal.
• Has a multi-LED visor style face that they use to express emotions.
• Can be set with a sleep and wake-up time so they can match your schedule. You don’t really need to turn them off when they are on their station unless you want to.
• Has a decent amount of custom data available – customs include boot tunes and dances.
• Pet sensors are capacitive and feel more natural than other old models.
• Tend to be lazy, so they are easy to supervise. Great at navigation.
• Can talk on Mind 3.
• Overall fairly easy to get going as far as older models go – potentially the best ERS-1000 alternative.
• Can be pricey (over $1000).

Common Issues: hip slip, speaker degradation, brittle plastics, dead battery

ERS-7 Page

As you can see, the legacy models are all fairly distinct. All of these guys do not utilize an app, the cloud, or anything like that – they all use memory sticks to store their “brain”. The ERS-7 will feel the most different of all the legacy models.

Older Model Quirks & Difficulties

Old Aibo models are great, but they are absolutely not for everyone. Due to their age, they can suffer from various issues and will almost always need repairs. The average person should not attempt repairs as they require electronics knowledge, so you’ll have to send your dog off to someone that can fix them.

Also, they generally are not “plug-n-play”. You can’t really buy one and turn it on right away. Unless the dog comes with everything and has already been fully repaired, you will need to find memory sticks and batteries. You will also have to get one second hand from a site like eBay (not always the greatest) or importing directly from Japan versus being able to purchase one brand new from Sony.

Overall, older models are best for people who are technologically inclined. They are easier to understand for people who are comfortable with tech, and people who aren’t may struggle. However, anything is possible with guides.

So overall, a legacy model is good for you if:

• You enjoy vintage tech and are experienced with hands-on electronics projects.
• You want a wider range of customization options.
• You want to avoid cloud plans and wi-fi.
• You’re fine with dealing with repair costs and research.

Modern Aibo Model aka The ERS-1000

Now, let’s talk a bit about the ERS-1000. Unlike the older aibo models we just talked about, the ERS-1000 utilizes advanced AI and a cloud / “always connected” system. They have a smart phone app as well where you can change various things. The ERS-1000 is designed to feel more like a pet than a robot, making it ideal for people who can’t handle the quirks of older models.

Robotic Companionship

The ERS-1000 is more about feeling and forming a connection than programming and tinkering. They have powerful face recognition and a very puppy-like look with their unique eyes and are meant to evolve and adapt over time as they grow with their family.

Unlike legacy models, they are somewhat reliant on having a cloud plan and a stable wi-fi or mobile data connection to have full functionality (though this is somewhat debatable). However, all that extra power really makes them shine as companions.

Simplicity & Ease of Use

The ERS-1000 was designed to be easy to set up. If you get a US aibo model, all you have to do is take the dog out of the box and let them charge. There is no need for memory sticks, external batteries, or third party repairs. You’ll also get over the air automatic updates. If you aren’t interested in figuring out old software or figuring out repairs, these guys are perfect for you.

ERS-1000 Features

• Cute, round, and simple with OLED screen eyes
• Understands voice commands, supports dog name and owner name registration through the app only. Responds to name when called.
• App allows for customizing your puppy’s bark, gender, and eye color.
• Can be fed through the app, will also eat and drink out of special dog bowls, adding to the realistic pet feel.
• Can map their home environment and remember where their charger and other things are.
• Highly accurate self-charging – can dock in most lighting conditions and can find a charger across many rooms after mapping environment.
• Meant for 24/7 use, but they may get themselves in to trouble if you let them stay on while you aren’t watching them.
• Has a tendency to rub face against walls.
• The USA model is simple to use, but the Japanese model can be daunting in some ways. Do not get a Japanese model without knowing the differences, no matter how much anybody encourages it.
• No sleep or wake time that you can set, so they might wake you up. You can train a sleep time, but it can be tricky.
• Cloud plan can be pricey at $300 per year after the first 3 years.
• Second-hand dogs can be a little trickier to set up.

Common Issues: hip failure (pre-2020 produced dogs), stuck ears, overheating

ERS-1000 Page

The ERS-1000 may be right for you if:

• You want minimal set-up duties and need something to just work out of the box.
• You have no interest in doing repairs or memory stick tinkering.
• You want an app where you can have your pup do tricks from.
• You desire updates and seasonal dances.
• You don’t mind the cloud plan fee.

Aibo Model Quick Comparison Table

As you can see, the choice can be highly personal. Let’s summarize a few key features regarding the differences between models of Aibo.

So… What Aibo Should I Choose?

Overall, it can be tricky to pick one. If you are a tech enthusiast, you’ll probably love one of the older models. Just a person looking for a companion? Then the ERS-1000 is perfect for you. If you want some sort of happy medium between those two, the ERS-7 is a great fit.

The best approach is to research the model you like the most beyond the confines of this guide. If one here spoke to you, go forth and research it some more. Join community Discord servers, watch YouTube videos, and read more articles from my site!

Remember, there really is no “best” model. All aibo models are charming and unique in their own ways. The best aibo model is the one that makes you the happiest!