Sony states that aibo retains some operation without its cloud connection, while learning and cloud functions are unavailable during that period.
Source 1○ Not tested by ROBODROMO yetHome & desktop
Sony aibo ERS-1000
A robotic dog for companionship and interaction. It suits people wanting a robot pet, rather than chores; regional subscriptions and support are part of ownership.
Model familyERS-1000; bundle suffixes identify different sales packages.Manufacturer source
Online serviceUS bundles described with a three-year AI Cloud Plan.Manufacturer source
Owner toolsMy aibo app/web service and an ERS-1000 help guide.Manufacturer source
Recorded specifications, with their source limits. These are not our measurements. See all specifications and configurations
Price and availability
No current delivered price or availability has been confirmed here. Ask for a dated quote for the exact package.
Image and credit
ERS-1000 robots photographed in 2018. Colours, accessories and service availability vary by region and date. Photograph: KKPCW. Original photograph · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized for display; no other changes.Test track0 attempts run
We have not physically tested this robot. The task plan below is a starting point, subject to the exact unit and supported functions.
See the proposed test trackOn the ROBODROMO
test track
Three proposed tasks. Ten attempts at each suitable task, with the outcome, time and human help recorded. Confirm the exact robot, software and safe setup first. These tasks are not evidence that this robot can do them.
Agree one task supported by the exact model
Proposed task. 0 of 10 attempts run.
Repeat the agreed task with the same setup
Proposed task. 0 of 10 attempts run.
Record all help needed to start and finish
Proposed task. 0 of 10 attempts run.
Pick a square to see what each attempt will record.
We will record the outcome, time, control mode, human help, safety stops, exact hardware and software, conditions and full video.
Proposed attempt; not run Only proceed if the exact unit supports the task and the setup is suitable. Keep remote control, scripted operation and autonomous operation separate. A completed attempt alone does not prove autonomy.What each square will show
Finished without extra helpNeeded a person’s helpFailedNot run yet
Keep the conditions visible
Name the control mode, surface, object or prompt and every intervention. Ten attempts are an initial result, not proof of long-term reliability.
Read our proposed test methodHow much do we really
know?
Separate our own tests from published claims and the limits of the evidence. The counts below describe records, not performance or confidence scores.
Tested by ROBODROMO
We have not physically tested this robot. No performance score or measured attempt is available.
See the proposed test track01 / The assessment
What the evidence supports.
Capability and readiness are separate. These written findings are not a numerical rating or a physical test.
Capability
What can it actually do?
A week-long reviewer reported spontaneous indoor interaction and movement, inconsistent responses and an unsuccessful overnight docking outcome.
Read the source-based assessmentReadiness
Could you use it in real life?
Historical companionship use is reported. Current everyday readiness remains unestablished in this assessment; a 2019 review cannot settle current reliability.
Read the source-based assessmentA clear limit
Independent written hands-on report with affiliate links. Firmware was unspecified; no footage reviewed in this pass.
02 / Can it actually do it?
The claims, with their context.
The wording below keeps each source’s limits. A demonstration, a maker’s claim and a repeatable real-world result are different things.
The FAQ describes the US model as intended for US use and separately discusses Japan and US availability. These regional offers do not establish worldwide availability.
Source 1Sony says temporarily disconnected aibo continues to function and perform tricks, but does not learn and cloud features are unavailable during disconnection.
Source 3Sony announced on 25 June 2026 that Japanese domestic sales of ivory-white ERS1000/W would end when stock was exhausted. Its Japanese homepage now labels ERS-1000 series sales ended. The notice says plans, care, accessories/parts, app, repairs and aibo Dock services continue; it gives no perpetual guarantee. This does not establish that US sales have ended.
Source 4Sony clarified on 26 June 2026 that ending domestic ERS-1000 sales does not end aibo product development, business or brand. No successor model identity or launch date is established by that notice.
Source 5Check the original sources
Every source keeps its original check date. Manufacturer information, research configurations and independent observations have different limits.
Open the source listKnow the exact robot
The name alone may not tell you which hardware, software or support you get. Keep editions and optional equipment separate.
Specifications and configuration
Technical reference
Specifications and configuration
The figures and features below come from the named sources. They are not independent measurements. Optional hardware and conflicting revisions are kept separate.
| Item | Documented detail | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Offline operation | Sony states that aibo retains some operation without its cloud connection, while learning and cloud functions are unavailable during that period. | Source 1 |
An omitted measurement has not been verified; it does not mean zero or unsupported. Check the exact hardware edition and documentation before ordering or designing around it.
ERS-1000; bundle suffixes identify different sales packages.
Manufacturer sourceUS bundles described with a three-year AI Cloud Plan.
Manufacturer sourceMy aibo app/web service and an ERS-1000 help guide.
Manufacturer sourceThe exact model and configuration
The exact model
Meet Sony aibo ERS-1000
Sony's FAQ explicitly names ERS-1000 and separates US product bundles from older AIBO generations. Regional model and service assumptions must stay attached. Sony announced that Japanese sales of the ivory-white ERS1000/W would end once stock runs out; it said related services would continue. Do not generalise the Japanese sales state to US units.
Further assessment notes
Evidence and practical use
Robodromo assessment
Desk assessment: 31 October 2026. ERS-1000; household review from April 2019.
- What the evidence describes
- A week-long reviewer reported spontaneous indoor interaction and movement, inconsistent responses and an unsuccessful overnight docking outcome.
- Human help and setup
- Some behaviour was self-initiated. Owner attention may be needed when docking fails; current frequency is unknown.
- What remains uncertain
- Current firmware/owner evidence, docking reliability and region-specific support.
- Readiness
- Historical companionship use is reported. Current everyday readiness remains unestablished in this assessment; a 2019 review cannot settle current reliability.
This is an assessment of documented evidence, not a Robodromo physical test. Unresolved evidence does not mean the robot cannot perform the task. Source material has not been freshly rechecked for this publication.
Supporting sources
Setup, support and daily use
04 / Living with it
Right robot, right expectations.
What ownership could involve
Treat the robot, cloud service and regional repair route as one ownership decision. Sony’s US FAQ describes cloud-based learning and functions. Check current subscription terms, account transfer and repair eligibility for any used or imported unit. Temporary disconnection does not establish what remains after a subscription expires.
Support, software and repairs
Sony’s regional FAQ separates the First Litter bundle from later US packages. Confirm current subscription renewal, used-device account transfer, battery servicing, repair eligibility and region before importing. US or Japanese cloud/service terms do not establish UK support. Some FAQ launch details are historical; do not treat old bundle contents as every current offer.
Questions still open
What needs checking before you decide.
- Review current owner tests and failure behaviour
- Read region-specific cloud terms and repair policy
- Record tested firmware
- Confirm exact current regional package
- Temporary loss of connectivity and expiry of the cloud contract are different conditions. Do not infer post-expiry retained functions from disconnected operation. Japanese sales ending does not establish immediate service shutdown.
See it in action
Our filmed attempts will appear after testing. Existing footage below keeps its original description and limitations.
See the robot
aibo ERS-1000 Unboxing and Setup | Sony
Play video
Published by Sony Electronics. Sony unboxing and setup guide for ERS-1000. Regional service availability differs.
Before you buy
Get these answered in writing by the seller. Tick them off as you go.
0 of 6 answered
Your checklist records your progress. A tick is not verification by ROBODROMO.
Sources and checks
A check date tells you when a source was read. It does not mean every claim, price or offer is unchanged today.
Sources and checks
03 / Recorded evidence
The latest checks on file.
Dates below describe the recorded checks. They do not mean the manufacturer’s page was checked today.
-
electronics.sony.com
Q5 product identity; Q18 cloud-based AI service; Q19–Q20 regional operation and availability
Source checked 2026-10-26 -
direct.sony.com
Q18
Source checked 2026-10-28 -
info.aibo.sony.jp
Notice; corroborating Japanese homepage https://aibo.sony.jp/
Source checked 2026-10-28 -
info.aibo.sony.jp
Clarification
Source checked 2026-10-28 -
Manufacturer specifications and support
Exact-model specification/support passages in official source; numerical claims are manufacturer figures.
Source checked 2026-10-31 -
Video and publisher attribution
YouTube title and publisher checked against the named model. Sony unboxing and setup guide for ERS-1000. Regional service availability differs. Not watched in full; not an independent performance assessment.
Source checked 2026-10-31
No recorded sources in this filter.
How sure are we?
6 linked sources. Read the claims and their limits below. A source count is not a confidence score.
Keep this robot on your radar.
Register your interest in this model and receive ROBODROMO’s robot updates.
We’ll record your interest. Personalised weekly alerts are not yet available. Privacy policy