Sony collaborates with European universities on robotics research & development projects * Sony AIBO robot 'enters' University of Versailles

BRUSSELS, June 20 (PROTEXT/PRNewswire) - Sony's AIBO, theworld's favourite four-legged entertainment robot, is about tomake appearances at renowned universities throughout Europe. Eversince its market introduction in 1999, AIBO has been bringingunique artificial intelligence entertainment into consumers'homes. In addition, AIBO also represents one of the most advancedand stable platforms for research and development, particularlyin the area of mobility and programming in robotic sciences. Thereason for the great acceptance of AIBO as a research theme isthe fact that no initial investment needs to be made by theuniversities to build a dedicated prototype. This would commonlybe the case for similar projects. Instead, AIBO provides a ready-made and comprehensive solution enabling the immediate start ofdesignated research activities.

One outstanding example representing a successfulcollaboration with a university in Europe, started in1997 withthe Laboratoire de Robotique de Versailles (LRV, a division ofthe Université de Versailles-Saint Quentin en Yvelines). Sincethen, the LRV has shown great commitment to using Sony's AIBO andhas carried out several research projects in line with theprogressing product development of AIBO. The LRV is specialisedin mechatronics and mobility research using a variety of leggedrobots including the four-legged robots by Sony. "We are pleasedto have Sony as an innovative partner who provides us withexcellent support and know-how for our research activities. Itenables us to test our research results in practice, for examplethe mobility of the robot's legs, its visual ability in terms ofdistance control and others," said Pierre Blazevic, Professor atthe LRV. "Moreover, we have established a team of four Sonyrobots, which participates in the annual global RoboCup eventswhere university teams from throughout the world compete againsteach other in the so-called 'Sony Four-Legged League'. Theresearch goal in this area is the refined interaction between thefour robots within one team and ultimately, to be able to taketruly artificially intelligent decisions without any interventionfrom a human being," he added.

Linked to the LRV is also the ISTY school (Institut desSciences et Techniques des Yvelines). The school is now startinga mechatronics class teaching students about robotics. They willnow start using AIBO as a robotic platform and will study allaspects of AIBO as an official part of the curriculum thatstudents will follow.

For Sony Entertainment Robot Europe, these types ofcollaborations are crucial to stay on the edge of technologicaldevelopments and eventually implement them into future products."After pioneering the entertainment robotics market, Sony iscontinuously looking for new opportunities to explore innovativeaspects of entertainment robotics. In particular, long-term andcontinuous co-operations with scientific institutions fosteringexcellent expertise and know-how like the Laboratoire deRobotique de Versailles will help us to define our futuredirection. Moreover, this will enable us to bridge consumers'expectations and needs with cutting edge technologicalinnovations," commented Nicolas Babin, Director of SonyEntertainment Robot Europe.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 13.88billion (yen 1,666 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31,2003, based on an average market exchange rate for the sameperiod of yen 120 to the EUR. Sony Europe, headquartered at theSony Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, is responsible for thecompany's European electronics business and registeredconsolidated sales of EUR 8.62 billion for the fiscal year endedMarch 31, 2003. For more information, please visithttp://www.sony-europe.comSony Entertainment Robot Europe (SERE) is headquartered inBrussels and is responsible for the marketing and sales of Sony'sentertainment robots in Europe. For more information, pleasevisit http://www.eu.aibo.comwww.sony-europe.com/presscenterContact:Sylvia ShinCorporate Communications EuropeSony Europe GmbHtel: +49 30 2575 5156fax: +49 30 2575 5174email: Sylvia.Shin@eu.sony.comIn addition, for any queries about Sony in your respectivecountry, please contact your local Sony PR office corporatecommunications Europe.

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