Get Your Own Robotic Dog For Just $2899.99

After a 12-year hiatus, Sony has brought back aibo, its robotic puppy. Tech-loving dog people can score one for a cool $2899.99.

Powered by A.I. and cutting-edge robotics, this robot pup learns and responds to its human family. It will get to know its name over time, respond to you when called, and develop a unique, evolving personality based on your interactions with it. The high-tech dog will even form “an emotional bond with members of the household,” states Sony.

Employing sensors, cameras, and actuators, aibo interacts with and learns from its environment in a variety of ways. It can play with compatible toys such as a pink ball (included), dice, and aibone (sold separately). Much like a real dog, aibo will learn your schedule and interact with you accordingly, greeting you when you get home and gradually learning where and when to “potty.” With the ability to recognize faces, aibo will seek out and build relationships with each member of your household. This spry little fellow can even be “fed” and learn tricks! Reviewer GeorgeJack enthuses, “aibo is the smartest piece of tech while also being a member of the family. Give it a week and you won’t be able to live without it.”

Though obviously not a replacement for the real thing, aibo may be the perfect option for people unable to welcome a living, breathing dog into their home due to barriers like allergies, apartment restrictions, and work schedules, but who still want a sense of companionship. (That said, aibo can live in harmony with your other pets.) It’s also the perfect gift for the enthusiastic tech-savvy person in your life. This android doggy can hear commands, feel pets, and can even interact with other aibos it meets. When it tires out, it will return to its charging station for a nap.

Over a decade of development, including earlier iterations, led to this version of the aibo, which, though incredible, is just the beginning of where robotic companions are headed. As these machines become increasingly sophisticated over time, they’ll likely become a regular part of our lives. Aibo owner Cari1994 writes, “My grandparents and I were a little skeptical about her at first but now Pepper is warming up to us and she is so adorable, I can’t stand it!” If you’re not sure if you’re ready for a dog, why not try aibo?