The ERS-220 is a alternative design model that was later sold alongside the ERS-210 and ERS-3xx series in the 2001. It featured a more gundam militaristic robot design, doing away with the cute moving ears, tail and mouth of the ERS-210 to be replaced with a pop-up exploration light that in theory would allow the aibo to explore in low light conditions. The 220 was fitted with many LED lights along the face and tail section of the robot. It also featured many more buttons that software could map functionality to.
This model is considered harder to obtain due to it not selling as well as the ERS-210 and ERS-3xx series it was sold alongside. Some people wrongfully attribute this to people boycotting aibo after Sony tried to take legal action again aibo fan 'Aibopet'. But in reality this had little effect on sales. The main reasons for it selling badly were down to the design not being seen as cute/attractive as the other two and the high price point.
The RRP for the 220 sat higher than the ERS-210 despite not having as many moving parts like a motorised tail, ears or mouth. In all logic it should have been sat price point wise between the 3xx series and 210, but it wasn't. Also not all 210 software would work with the ERS-220, so on paper it looked like the less appeal package and led many to skip this model. Still, the ERS-220 is much beloved today for its cool styling.
The RRP for the 220 sat higher than the ERS-210 despite not having as many moving parts like a motorised tail, ears or mouth. In all logic it should have been sat price point wise between the 3xx series and 210, but it wasn't. Also not all 210 software would work with the ERS-220, so on paper it looked like the less appeal package and led many to skip this model. Still, the ERS-220 is much beloved today for its cool styling.
The ERS-220 would later receive the same 'Supercore' upgrade as the ERS-210, being designated the 'ERS-220A'. But like the ERS-210A, software didn't really take advantage of the upgraded specifications, other than shortening boot times.
Due to sharing many parts, the issues the ERS-210 faces can also be found in the ERS-220 to a lesser degree. Being launched with the new neck clutch and with the head being lighter overall, the 220 fairs better over time, but can still develop TAS and PAS.
'Leg cramps' or 'jitters' can still develop but these, like with the other models, can be solved by cleaning the potentiometer.
'Leg cramps' or 'jitters' can still develop but these, like with the other models, can be solved by cleaning the potentiometer.
A 'ERS-220 Transformation Kit' was released for those who didn't want to buy a whole new aibo and just wanted to swap out their ERS-210's parts for ERS-220 parts occasionally. The kit inclueded 4 legs, head, tail section and an Open-R upgrade stick. Despite this option being available, it didn't sell well.
ERS-220 Concept Art
It was designed by Shōji Kawamori (famous for his mecha design work on Macross). Earlier designs for the ERS-220 reveal that this aibo was originally intended to be a dinosaur that could curl up into an egg shape for charging. But this idea was scrapped and they reverted to making another dog-shaped robot to better fit in with the existing aibo lines.
Gallery
ERS-220 Brochures
