Sony agrees to repair old Aibo robot dogs to help them find forever homes

Sony has announced that it will allow owners of $2,900 Aibo robot dogs whose basic plans have been canceled to donate the robo pups.

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The company will refurbish the Aibos as needed and donate them to medical facilities, foster homes, and other groups, PC Gamer reported The company wants to make “Aibo more sustainable” by allowing them to be used in a variety of ways including emotional support, according to Engadget.

Sony will charge “foster parents” a fee to take part. To see more about the Aibo repair program, go here.

Aibo is a toy that can do tricks like standing on its hind legs and greeting its owner at the door. They respond to voice and touch and can recognize specific people. It has been engineered to “mature” like real dogs, and has a web-based interface that allows you to customize it, adding different actions.

The company is touting it as ideal to serve as a comfort animal for facilities that don’t allow animals.