Maybe the grizzly inards of the telecom gear can be used to make more Japanese bears?
nni.nikkei.co.jp
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Wednesday, September 5, 2001
Sony Bullish On Aibo's Robotic Bear Companion
TOKYO (Nikkei)--Sony Marketing (Japan) Inc. said Wednesday it will release an ursine counterpart to its Aibo robotic dog on Sept. 22. By upping the cuteness factor of the baby bear, the marketing subsidiary of Sony Corp. (6758) hopes to appeal to more customers.
The company expects the cubs will attract female and older consumers to a product category dominated by men over 30.
The bears will be priced at 98,000 yen, over 50,000 yen less than the second-generation Aibo dogs.
One bear, named Latte, is white and has a calm, quiet character, while the other, Macaron, is gray and is cheerful but naughty. The bears use 15 motors to move their head, limbs and tail.
They can also recognize some 75 words, 50% more than their canine counterpart. If an owner tells a cub to "dance, please," it will move rhythmically.
Orders will be accepted from Sept. 12 at retailers.
(The Nihon Keizai Shimbun Wednesday evening edition)
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