Sony Expands Software Applications for AIBO Entertainment Robot; New Master Studio Software Compatible With Current Line Of AIBO Entertainment Robots.

LOS ANGELES -- Entertainment Robot America (ERA), a division of Sony Electronics Inc. in the U.S., will release a new version of its AIBO customization software entitled AIBO Master Studio Version 1.1 next month.

In addition to allowing AIBO owners to edit original LED patterns, motions, sounds and the scripts that control the robot's behavior, this new software version offers a host of new features and is compatible with the current AIBO Entertainment Robot product line (currently available models include the [ERS-210/220] and the [ERS-311/312]).

Priced at $449.00, Version 1.1 will be available directly through the Internet ( http://www.sonystyle.com/ or http://www.us.aibo.com/ ) and over the telephone (1-888-017-7669) beginning next month. For a two-month period following its release, owners of AIBO Master Studio Version 1.0 can upgrade to the new software for a reduced price of $80.

"The uniqueness of AIBO is its capacity to provide a multitude of ways for users to interact and be entertained with this burgeoning new platform," said Victor Matsuda, vice president of ERA. "With AIBO Master Studio Version 1.1, we are making available an easy-to-use application for owners to create and trade original AIBO behaviors.

   Major New Functions in AIBO Master Studio Version 1.1   *  Quick behavior arranger - Allows AIBO owners to create behavior      programs easily by following screen instructions in the step-by-step      user interface.  Touch sensors or voice commands can trigger specific      actions.   *  Voice recognition - Owners can create behavior programs that change      movements in response to recognized words (up to 50 words).   *  Wireless LAN debugging function - AIBO owners who have a wireless LAN      setup between their PC and AIBO (accessories sold separately), can tap      into the Debug screen, which shows the behavior program being executed.      You can also use the newly added instruction to see variables that are      being executed in the Debug screen.   *  Action export and import - Created actions can be saved in AXF      (Action Export File) format, and used in other AIBO software      applications (at the moment, the corresponding application is AIBO      Navigator 2).  Action libraries in PLB (Packed Action Library) format      can be easily traded with other AIBO Master Studio users.   About Entertainment Robot America (ERA), Sony Electronics Inc. 

Established in January 1999, Entertainment Robot America is a division company of Sony Electronic Inc. ERA maintains sales, marketing and engineering operations in the U.S. For more information about AIBO please visit http://www.us.aibo.com/ .

For further information, please contact: Jon Piazza of Sony Electronics Inc., +1-310-410-2471, jon.piazza@am.sony.com; or Doug Piwinski, dpiwinski@bncpr.com, or Lou Casale, of Bragman Nyman Cafarelli, +1-310-274-7800, for Entertainment Robot America.

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Contact: Jon Piazza of Sony Electronics Inc., +1-310-410-2471, jon.piazza@am.sony.com; or Doug Piwinski, dpiwinski@bncpr.com, or Lou Casale, of Bragman Nyman Cafarelli, +1-310-274-7800, for Entertainment Robot America

Website: http://www.sonystyle.com/ http://www.us.aibo.com/