Introduction
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ERS-7 - Original in Pearl White
Shipped with original 'MIND' software.
Some batches were shipped with defective legs that makes the legs stop moving correctly and apparently cause more power drain. The effected dogs serials range from 1000001～1006000、1900001～1900500. A free worldwide repair program was started to replace the defective legs. Despite this, there are still defective 2003 7s floating around the auction space.
ERS-7 MIND 2 - Introduction of the Pearl Black
ERS-7M3/B" (Pearl Black) was discontinued. (2006.03.13)
Dev on the Pearl Black colour:
Suezaki: It's not just black. I think that adding blue beads to the black body color gives it depth. The appearance changes depending on how the light hits it, so I think you can enjoy it in various ways.
Each part (ears, tail, toes, collar, back sensor, etc.) is also colored to match the black exterior, so in total we have changed more than 30 parts. To match the body, we paid attention to the details without sparing the cost. We also changed the color of the canopy, but it took a lot of time to make sure there were no problems with AIBO's recognition ability.
Each part (ears, tail, toes, collar, back sensor, etc.) is also colored to match the black exterior, so in total we have changed more than 30 parts. To match the body, we paid attention to the details without sparing the cost. We also changed the color of the canopy, but it took a lot of time to make sure there were no problems with AIBO's recognition ability.
ERS-7 MIND 3 - Introduction of the Champagne/Honey Brown
The AIBO ``ERS-7M3'' limited edition color ``Honey Brown'' was sold out at 17:00 on December 12th. (2005.12.12)
Features
LED illuminated face for communication
The ERS-7 made great leaps over its predecessors with its dynamic LED face which allowed it to more clearly express complex emotions using its own visual language. It could show how it was feeling, what toy it wants to play with and also aid in diagnostics.
Self-Charging with the included Docking Station, Mat and Barcode Pole
The ERS-7 was sold as a complete kit unlike previous models. The robot was supplied with its own dedicated low-profile charging dock that it could seek out in autonomous mode if it was low on battery and self charged accordingly. it did this visually by aligning itself up with the floor mat (placed at the front of the station) and the pole (placed behind the station). The matt design in MIND heavily resembles the one used in Aibo Recognition for the ERS-210 - this design was later swapped for a barcode design in MIND2 to aid visibility in low light. The Aibo dock had basic functionalities seen on the 2xx and 3xx docks such as setting date, time and volume but lacked an extra battery charging bay. The dock allows for the aibo to remain autonomous and to preform basic operations (such as speaking and dancing) on the dock while charging. If set, the aibo could also be programmed to get up off the dock at a certain time of day and sound a wake up alarm.
Later MIND updates would utilise the docking station in tricks - one such involves the aibo carrying the ball on its back and pushing it up onto the station pole.
If you make an enlarged copy of the ERS-7 station pole and attach it to the wall, you will be able to return from a farther distance!
Included accessories for the ERS-7
Left: ERS-7 Exclusive accessories. Like the original 1xx Aibo, the ERS-7 came complete with all of its accessories (such as Aibone, ball, function cards, docking station and MIND1/2/3 software). The bone and cards were new advanced items that could be used with the ERS-7 thanks to its improved object recognition.
The bone toy would return for the ERS-1000 with a slightly bigger and rounder design. Due to the changes in mouth design, the 1000 can have difficulty picking up the ERS-7's slightly thinner bone, but the ERS-7 can pick up the 1000 bone.
A focus on: The ERS-7/M3 Honey Brown / Champagne
Promotional Variations
During the ERS-7's production, Sony in collaboration with third parties created one-off variants of this model for promotional reasons. These were never mass produced and only single examples exist. Sadly over the years it is unclear what happened to these aibos or where they are currently.
Clear Prototypes
Sony's personal demonstrator Aibos with a clear shell. They would often be taken to events worldwide to show off the internals of the ERS-7 and placed on display at exhibits. Both look very similar but 'Crystal' has clear plastic paws while 'Skelebo' has black paws.
Both remain in possession of Sony Japan.
ICO - the Worlds First Crystallised Aibo
24k Gold Plated Aibo
An ERS-7 was gold plated in 24k gold and placed on display in Harrods, London (UK) to demonstrate their luxury custom gold plating service. Sadly no images exist of it.
