The Sony Aibo was a robot revolution dressed like a dog

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/11/AIBO_Site.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">In the 1990s, Sony was absolutely convinced that we were on the precipice of a robot takeover. Pretty soon, the company decided, we'd all be living among countless humanoid robots. Some would be our coworkers; others would be our friends; and at least one would be our pet. And "pet" was exactly what Sony was going for when it created the Aibo. It was supposed to be part of the family.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">On <a href="https://pod.link/1840983742">this episode of <em>Version History</em></a>, we go back in time and tell the story of the Aibo. David Pierce is joined by <em>The Verge's</em> Victoria Song and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, and together they discuss the origins of this remarkable robot dog, and its impressive succe …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/podcast/1033948/sony-aibo-robot-dog-version-history">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>