Now Sony's AIBO can dance to the beat * Sony Entertainment Robot Europe debuts new software "AIBO Dancer"

BRUSSELS/BERLIN April 11 (PROTEXT/PRNewswire) - Sony's AIBO,the world's favourite four-legged entertainment robot, is aboutto become a wow! on the dance floor thanks to "AIBO Dancer", anexciting new software application. Based on Sony's Memory Sticktechnology, it enables AIBO to dance in time to pop music. With"AIBO Dancer" the robot will 'hear' music that is played nearbyand dance to it, being able to detect a variety of musical beatsand dancing up to 30 different steps thanks to its artificialintelligence and sound recognition capabilities. To complete theexperience, AIBO will let you know what it is thinking, makingcomments such as "Check this out," and "We're dancing now," or ifthe music stops, "Who killed the tune?"

"The launch of this new software marks an important stepwithin our strategy to appeal to existing and future AIBO ownerswith unique, fun and artificially intelligent entertainment. Inaddition to the core product itself, additional added valueproducts, software and services will ensure that AIBO evolves tobecome even more valued in the home entertainment environment,"said Nicolas Babin, Director Sony Entertainment Robot Europe."Sony's recent pan-European advertising campaign has tremendouslyincreased the overall awareness of AIBO in the European market.By launching continuous innovations such as "AIBO Dancer" we hopeto win the hearts of many more AIBO owners throughout Europe," headded.

Initially developed for the US market, the new software willbe available throughout Europe via dedicated local retailchannels as well as directly through the Internet www.eu.aibo.comfrom early April 2003 with a suggested retail price of EUR 79,-(incl. VAT) and Ľ 55 respectively. "AIBO Dancer" (ERF-210AW07),available in English language, is compatible with AIBOEntertainment Robots ERS-210 and ERS-210A models.About Sony Europe

Sony manufactures audio, video, communications andinformation technology products for the global consumer andprofessional markets. With its music, pictures, game and onlinebusinesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to become a leadingpersonal broadband entertainment company in the 21st century. InEurope Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 14.76billion (yen 1,609 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31,2002, based on an average market exchange rate for the sameperiod of yen 109 to the euro. Sony Europe, headquartered at theSony Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, is responsiblefor the company's European electronics business and registeredconsolidated sales of EUR 9.36 billion(1) for the fiscal yearended March 31, 2002.

For more information on Sony Europe, please visithttp://www.sony-europe.com

1 - Figures for the cellular phone business from October 1,2001 are excluded from Sony Europe's consolidated sales.

Sony Entertainment Robot Europe (SERE) is headquartered inBrussels and is responsible for the marketing and sales of Sony'sentertainment robots in Europe.For more information, please contactSylvia ShinCorporate Communications EuropeSony Europe GmbHtel: +49 30 2575 5156fax: +49 30 2575 5174email: Sylvia.Shin@eu.sony.comwww.sony-europe.com/presscenterIn addition, for any queries about Sony in your respectivecountry, please contact your local Sony PR officecorporate communications europe

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