Brussels (AFP) - 01/11/2018 - 12:08
Iran nuclear deal criticised by Trump 'is working': EU's Mogherini
Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - 01/11/2018 - 10:11
German economy grew 2.2% in 2017: official data
Berlin (AFP) - 01/11/2018 - 09:54
'Big obstacles' still in way of Germany coalition deal: Merkel
Brussels (AFP) - 01/11/2018 - 09:26
Luxembourg court overturns sentence against Luxleaks whistleblower
Jerusalem (AFP) - 01/11/2018 - 08:53
Israel approves more than 1,100 new West Bank settlement homes: NGO
Beijing (AFP) - 01/11/2018 - 05:39
China denies report it could halt US bond purchases
New York (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 22:06
US stocks finish lower, ending streak of records
Washington (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 21:50
Trump says US could 'conceivably' return to Paris climate deal
Paris (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 20:57
Jewels worth millions of euros stolen in Paris Ritz armed robbery: police
Quito (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 18:35
Colombia rebels call for talks after government suspends peace deal
Washington (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 17:44
Trump open to talks between US and N. Korea
Bogota (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 15:52
Colombia president suspends ceasefire talks over rebel attacks
Washington (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 15:35
Trump calls US court system 'unfair' after 'Dreamers' ruling
Berlin (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 14:49
French finance minister urges 'more investments' from Germany
Yangon (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 14:43
Myanmar security forces took part in killing 10 Rohingya: army
Beijing (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 07:50
China orders 184 Airbus A320 planes: France
Yangon (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 05:45
Myanmar police charge Reuters reporters under Official Secrets Act
San Francisco (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 05:43
US judge blocks Trump move rescinding immigrant program
Washington (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 04:23
Magnitude 7.6 earthquake strikes off Honduras coast: USGS
Tripoli (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 00:43
Scores of migrants missing in Mediterranean: Libyan Navy
New York (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 22:19
Bannon steps down from Breitbart News
New York (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 22:06
Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq end at records, extending rally
Washington (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 22:01
World Bank upgrades global growth forecasts as recovery strengthens
Jerusalem (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 21:16
Israeli shot near West Bank settlement dies of wounds: army
Johannesburg (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 19:53
S.Africa's graft-tainted Zuma announces anti-corruption probe
Beirut (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 19:45
Ten children among 24 dead in attacks on Syria's Ghouta: new toll
Washington (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 18:50
Trump 'likes' Oprah, but doubts she'll run for president
Washington (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 18:21
Trump to attend Davos economic forum: W.House
Quito (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 17:54
Ecuador seeks mediator to resolve 'untenable' Assange standoff: minister
Quito (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 16:51
ELN rebels say Colombia ceasefire to end, but can be extended
Lagos (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 15:54
Death toll from Nigeria communal violence reaches 80
Seoul (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 13:18
Two Koreas agree to hold military talks to defuse tension: Seoul
Warsaw (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 12:27
Polish PM sacks defence, foreign ministers in reshuffle
Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 11:53
Senior Hamas figure shot in Gaza, in critical condition: medical source
Seoul (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 10:17
Koreas agree to restore military hotline: Seoul official
Damascus (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 08:14
Israeli air strikes, rockets hit Syria: Syrian army
Seoul (South Korea) (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 05:25
South Korea proposes family reunions in talks with North
Seoul (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 02:59
N. Korea chief delegate seeks 'precious' results from talks
Seoul (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 02:19
North and South Korea begin talks
Seoul (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 00:42
Samsung projects $14.1 billion Q4 operating profits
New York (AFP) - 01/08/2018 - 22:05
S&P 500, Nasdaq end at records for 5th day; Dow ends lower
Paris (AFP) - 01/08/2018 - 21:18
Paris prosecutors probe Apple over 'planned obsolescence'
London (AFP) - 01/08/2018 - 21:08
UK minister resigns after rejecting PM's reshuffle: govt source
Washington (AFP) - 01/08/2018 - 17:39
US ends protected status for 200,000 Salvadoran immigrants
Washington (AFP) - 01/08/2018 - 17:37
VP Pence to travel to Middle East next week: official
Miami (AFP) - 01/08/2018 - 16:51
2017 the costliest year in US history for natural disasters
Cairo (AFP) - 01/08/2018 - 15:42
Egypt to hold presidential election March 26-28: authority
London (AFP) - 01/08/2018 - 14:01
British PM begins reshuffle by naming new party chairman

Brussels (AFP) - 01/11/2018 - 12:08
Iran nuclear deal criticised by Trump 'is working': EU's Mogherini
Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - 01/11/2018 - 10:11
German economy grew 2.2% in 2017: official data
Berlin (AFP) - 01/11/2018 - 09:54
'Big obstacles' still in way of Germany coalition deal: Merkel
Brussels (AFP) - 01/11/2018 - 09:26
Luxembourg court overturns sentence against Luxleaks whistleblower
Jerusalem (AFP) - 01/11/2018 - 08:53
Israel approves more than 1,100 new West Bank settlement homes: NGO
Beijing (AFP) - 01/11/2018 - 05:39
China denies report it could halt US bond purchases
New York (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 22:06
US stocks finish lower, ending streak of records
Washington (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 21:50
Trump says US could 'conceivably' return to Paris climate deal
Paris (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 20:57
Jewels worth millions of euros stolen in Paris Ritz armed robbery: police
Quito (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 18:35
Colombia rebels call for talks after government suspends peace deal
Washington (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 17:44
Trump open to talks between US and N. Korea
Bogota (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 15:52
Colombia president suspends ceasefire talks over rebel attacks
Washington (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 15:35
Trump calls US court system 'unfair' after 'Dreamers' ruling
Berlin (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 14:49
French finance minister urges 'more investments' from Germany
Yangon (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 14:43
Myanmar security forces took part in killing 10 Rohingya: army
Beijing (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 07:50
China orders 184 Airbus A320 planes: France
Yangon (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 05:45
Myanmar police charge Reuters reporters under Official Secrets Act
San Francisco (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 05:43
US judge blocks Trump move rescinding immigrant program
Washington (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 04:23
Magnitude 7.6 earthquake strikes off Honduras coast: USGS
Tripoli (AFP) - 01/10/2018 - 00:43
Scores of migrants missing in Mediterranean: Libyan Navy
New York (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 22:19
Bannon steps down from Breitbart News
New York (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 22:06
Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq end at records, extending rally
Washington (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 22:01
World Bank upgrades global growth forecasts as recovery strengthens
Jerusalem (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 21:16
Israeli shot near West Bank settlement dies of wounds: army
Johannesburg (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 19:53
S.Africa's graft-tainted Zuma announces anti-corruption probe
Beirut (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 19:45
Ten children among 24 dead in attacks on Syria's Ghouta: new toll
Washington (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 18:50
Trump 'likes' Oprah, but doubts she'll run for president
Washington (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 18:21
Trump to attend Davos economic forum: W.House
Quito (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 17:54
Ecuador seeks mediator to resolve 'untenable' Assange standoff: minister
Quito (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 16:51
ELN rebels say Colombia ceasefire to end, but can be extended
Lagos (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 15:54
Death toll from Nigeria communal violence reaches 80
Seoul (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 13:18
Two Koreas agree to hold military talks to defuse tension: Seoul
Warsaw (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 12:27
Polish PM sacks defence, foreign ministers in reshuffle
Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 11:53
Senior Hamas figure shot in Gaza, in critical condition: medical source
Seoul (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 10:17
Koreas agree to restore military hotline: Seoul official
Damascus (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 08:14
Israeli air strikes, rockets hit Syria: Syrian army
Seoul (South Korea) (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 05:25
South Korea proposes family reunions in talks with North
Seoul (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 02:59
N. Korea chief delegate seeks 'precious' results from talks
Seoul (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 02:19
North and South Korea begin talks
Seoul (AFP) - 01/09/2018 - 00:42
Samsung projects $14.1 billion Q4 operating profits
New York (AFP) - 01/08/2018 - 22:05
S&P 500, Nasdaq end at records for 5th day; Dow ends lower
Paris (AFP) - 01/08/2018 - 21:18
Paris prosecutors probe Apple over 'planned obsolescence'
London (AFP) - 01/08/2018 - 21:08
UK minister resigns after rejecting PM's reshuffle: govt source
Washington (AFP) - 01/08/2018 - 17:39
US ends protected status for 200,000 Salvadoran immigrants
Washington (AFP) - 01/08/2018 - 17:37
VP Pence to travel to Middle East next week: official
Miami (AFP) - 01/08/2018 - 16:51
2017 the costliest year in US history for natural disasters
Cairo (AFP) - 01/08/2018 - 15:42
Egypt to hold presidential election March 26-28: authority
London (AFP) - 01/08/2018 - 14:01
British PM begins reshuffle by naming new party chairman

    News
  
Old dog, new tricks: Sony unleashes 'intelligent' robot pet
        11
        Jan
        2018      

					    
					    AFP / Kazuhiro NOGI
					    The robot dog 'woke up' as if being roused from a slumber
				    
As Japan celebrates the year of the dog, electronics giant Sony on Thursday unleashed its new robot canine companion, packed with artificial intelligence and internet connectivity.
The sleek ivory-white puppy-sized "aibo" robot shook its head and wagged its tail as if waking from a nap when it was taken out of a cocoon-shaped case at a "birthday ceremony" held in Tokyo.
Seven-year-old boy Naohiro Sugimoto from Tokyo was among the first to get his hands on the shiny new toy, which he described as "heavy but cute".
"The dog we had previously died... We bought this robot dog as we wanted a (new) family," he said.
The 30-centimetre (one-foot) long hound-like machine comes complete with flapping ears and its eyes, made of a cutting-edge light-emitting display, can show various emotions.
Aibo is also fitted with an array of sensors, cameras and microphones and boasts internet connectivity.
The owner can play with the pet remotely via smartphone and even teach it tricks from the office for the faithful hound to perform when its "master" gets home.
It builds up a "character" by interacting with people and while not always submissive, it is friendly towards those who are kind to it.
What the machine "learns" is stored in the cloud so its "character" can be preserved even in the event of hardware damage.
Photos it takes can also be shared.
But such cutting-edge canine technology does not come cheap, with the aibo costing nearly $3,000 for a three-year package, including software services such as data storage.
- 'Touches a chord' -

					   
					   AFP / Kazuhiro NOGI
					    The Aibo dog comes with a hefty price tag of nearly $3,000

				    
Aibo is not the Japanese electronic giant's first foray into the animal robot entertainment world. 
Its earlier robot dog was put to sleep more a decade ago -- a victim of business restructuring -- shocking fans.
Sony rolled out the first-generation dog in June 1999, with the initial batch of 3,000 selling out in just 20 minutes, despite a hefty price tag of 250,000 yen ($2,200 at current rates).
Over the following years, more than 150,000 units were sold, with numerous models ranging from gleaming metallic-silver versions to round-faced cub-like models.
But by 2006, Sony was in trouble. Its business model was under pressure and it was facing fierce competition from rivals in all fields.
The robot dog, an expensive and somewhat frivolous luxury, had to go.
Yasuyuki Nakamura, another owner of the new generation Aibo -- his third robot pet -- said he was happy to see the dog back in Sony's catalogue.
"I had been waiting (for a new aibo). I ordered one as I was happy to see this kind of business was revived," the 46-year-old said.
A middle-aged couple said they bought the robot for their 25th anniversary this year.
Sony plans to release the new aibo overseas as well but no details are set yet.
The dog does not speak human languages or perform tasks such as turning a light on.
But that is not the point of the product, according to Sony's Izumi Kawanishi who is in charge of the project.
"You don't think about what the dog can do when you want to get a dog, do you?," he asked reporters. 
"The point is that it touches a chord (with people)," he said.

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Old dog, new tricks: Sony unleashes 'intelligent' robot pet

11 Jan 2018

AFP / Kazuhiro NOGI The robot dog 'woke up' as if being roused from a slumber

As Japan celebrates the year of the dog, electronics giant Sony on Thursday unleashed its new robot canine companion, packed with artificial intelligence and internet connectivity.

The sleek ivory-white puppy-sized "aibo" robot shook its head and wagged its tail as if waking from a nap when it was taken out of a cocoon-shaped case at a "birthday ceremony" held in Tokyo.

Seven-year-old boy Naohiro Sugimoto from Tokyo was among the first to get his hands on the shiny new toy, which he described as "heavy but cute".

"The dog we had previously died... We bought this robot dog as we wanted a (new) family," he said.

The 30-centimetre (one-foot) long hound-like machine comes complete with flapping ears and its eyes, made of a cutting-edge light-emitting display, can show various emotions.

Aibo is also fitted with an array of sensors, cameras and microphones and boasts internet connectivity.

The owner can play with the pet remotely via smartphone and even teach it tricks from the office for the faithful hound to perform when its "master" gets home.

It builds up a "character" by interacting with people and while not always submissive, it is friendly towards those who are kind to it.

What the machine "learns" is stored in the cloud so its "character" can be preserved even in the event of hardware damage.

Photos it takes can also be shared.

But such cutting-edge canine technology does not come cheap, with the aibo costing nearly $3,000 for a three-year package, including software services such as data storage.

- 'Touches a chord' -

AFP / Kazuhiro NOGI The Aibo dog comes with a hefty price tag of nearly $3,000

Aibo is not the Japanese electronic giant's first foray into the animal robot entertainment world.

Its earlier robot dog was put to sleep more a decade ago -- a victim of business restructuring -- shocking fans.

Sony rolled out the first-generation dog in June 1999, with the initial batch of 3,000 selling out in just 20 minutes, despite a hefty price tag of 250,000 yen ($2,200 at current rates).

Over the following years, more than 150,000 units were sold, with numerous models ranging from gleaming metallic-silver versions to round-faced cub-like models.

But by 2006, Sony was in trouble. Its business model was under pressure and it was facing fierce competition from rivals in all fields.

The robot dog, an expensive and somewhat frivolous luxury, had to go.

Yasuyuki Nakamura, another owner of the new generation Aibo -- his third robot pet -- said he was happy to see the dog back in Sony's catalogue.

"I had been waiting (for a new aibo). I ordered one as I was happy to see this kind of business was revived," the 46-year-old said.

A middle-aged couple said they bought the robot for their 25th anniversary this year.

Sony plans to release the new aibo overseas as well but no details are set yet.

The dog does not speak human languages or perform tasks such as turning a light on.

But that is not the point of the product, according to Sony's Izumi Kawanishi who is in charge of the project.

"You don't think about what the dog can do when you want to get a dog, do you?," he asked reporters.

"The point is that it touches a chord (with people)," he said.