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The following information is true and accurate at the time of publication.
May 7, 2002
OPEN-R Architecture Specifications To Be Made Public
OPEN-R Software Development Kit to be Made Available on the Internet Free of Charge
- Introduction of AIBO
as an educational platform for robotics research -
Tokyo Japan, May 7, 2002 - Sony
Corporation today announced it will make the software specifications
for OPEN-R Architecture available on its official AIBO web
site [http://www.aibo.com/openr]
from June 3rd, 2002. A software development kit "OPEN-R
SDK" based on the OPEN-R specifications will also be made
available free of charge for noncommercial* use.
By making the AIBO entertainment robot platform publicly
available, Sony hopes to help academic institutions conducting
robotics and artificial intelligence research. Sony also
hopes to facilitate the growth of the personal robot industry
by providing a bulletin board located on the AIBO web site.
* For commercial use, additional contracts are needed.
The "OPEN-R SDK" software development kit can be downloaded
from [http://www.aibo.com/openr]
from 10:00am on Monday, June 3rd, 2002. Prior to the posting
of OPEN-R specifications on the Internet, general information
regarding the software and FAQ will be posted on the same
web site from 15:00 on Tuesday May 7, 2002. Sony wants to
actively promote OPEN-R architecture for entertainment robots
by highlighting its ability to modify the robot's functionality
by changing the software modules and allowing the robot's
shape and features to be altered by replacing parts of the
robot's body (i.e. legs, head).
The OPEN-R software specifications provide details of the
Application Programming Interface (API) that controls AIBO's
basic movements, such as joint movements, sensor input,
image capture and wireless communication by LAN. Because
the "OPEN-R SDK" includes the software specifications, the
Application Programming Interface (API) and the source codes
for sample programs, robot enthusiasts will be able to create
customized software programs simply by downloading the "OPEN-R
SDK" software development kit to their PCs.
By composing robot movements in C++ programming language
based on the OPEN-R software specifications and using a
free GNU development tool* (a C++ language compiler gcc,
etc.) downloadable from the Internet, users will be able
to create programs that can be operated on an AIBO entertainment
robot. This will further enhance research and education
in software technologies such as robotic movement control
and artificial intelligence using the existing AIBO entertainment
robot platform.
* A GNU development tool is NOT included in the OPEN-R SDK.
The GNU development tool can be downloaded from the web
site [http://www.aibo.com/openr]
with GNU GPL (GNU General Public License).
Noncommercial products developed using "OPEN-R SDK" can be distributed freely. Sony hopes to accelerate the development of robots throughout the industry by introducing the "OPEN-R SDK" software development kit and establishing the electronic bulletin board on the AIBO web site where researchers and programmers can post their noncommercial products and exchange opinions.
About Sony
Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video,
game, communications and information technology products
for the consumer and professional markets. With its music,
pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses,
Sony is uniquely positioned to be a leading personal broadband
entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated
annual sales of nearly $57 billion for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2002. Sony's Home Page URL: www.world.sony.com
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