<Press Release>

The following information is true and accurate at the time of publication.

October 26, 1999

Sony Launches Special Edition "AIBO" Entertainment Robot

Requests for 10,000 total units to be accepted from
customers in Europe, Japan, and the USA from November 1-8, 1999

(Tokyo, Paris and New York) - Sony Corporation today announced plans to offer a special
edition "AIBO" entertainment robot, model [ERS-111], to customers in Japan, the United
States, and Europe*1. Sales will be limited to 10,000 total units with no specific quantity
allocated to each region or market*2.

The "AIBO" entertainment robot is an autonomous robot that acts in response to external
stimulation and its own judgement. Sony developed it as a robot capable of interacting and
co-existing with people as a new form of robotic entertainment. This June, Sony sold a total
of 5,000 units of a limited edition "AIBO" entertainment robot, model [ERS-110], on a
first-come, first-served basis to customers in Japan and the US. Order taking for products
allocated to the Japanese market was completed within 20 minutes, and products allocated for
the US market were sold within four days, a response that greatly exceeded expectations.

Sony intended to market a limited quantity of "AIBO" entertainment robots, maintain close
contact with the users, and use their feedback to plan the establishment of an entirely new
market for robot entertainment. Ever since the completion of order taking, however, Sony has
been flooded with requests to purchase "AIBO" robots not only from customers in Japan and
the US but also from Europe, where the limited edition model was not available. In
considering how to respond to this excess demand, Sony has decided to launch a special
edition "AIBO" entertainment robot, model [ERS-111].

The [ERS-111] "AIBO" entertainment robot maintains the same basic features and
specifications as the [ERS-110] model while incorporating some changes in design, motion,
and sound. Customers can choose from two exciting new colors, Grey Silver and Metallic
Black, when submitting their requests. The special edition also features changes in the shape
of the ears and length of the tail as well as the inclusion of new motion and sound software.

Requests for the [ERS-111] "AIBO" entertainment robot will be accepted from November
1-8, 1999 over the Internet and by telephone*3, and quantities are limited to one per customer.
In the event that more than 10,000 requests are received, orders will be processed at random
until all products are sold. Sony plans to complete shipping products by late December.

A new version of the "AIBO Performer Kit" motion editor software, model [ERF-511], will
go on sale at the same time. This PC-based software, which enables users create new motions
for [ERS-111] "AIBO" entertainment robot, has been specially designed for the special
edition product.

(Please refer to the attached pages for specific information about events, product displays, and
procedures for placing requests in for your region.)

Sony will continue to advance its market research and technological development by
analyzing the demographics of its "AIBO" customers and communicating closely with users
while working to expand the market for robot entertainment.

*1 Sony currently plans to offer the product for sale in Austria, Greece, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.

*2 In the event that more than 10,000 requests are received, orders will be filled at random until all products
are sold. No specific number of units has been allocated for each region or market.

*3 Other methods may be available in some countries. For detailed information, please refer to attached
page(s).

Product Information and Prices (Refer to attached pages for further details):

Requests Products Production

Product Description Price
Accepted Shipped Limit
"AIBO" Entertainment Robot JPY 250,000
[ERS-111] in choice of two November excl. tax
colors: Grey Silver or Metallic st
1 From USD$2500.00 10,000
Black; Station; AC Adapter;
to early excl. tax, Units
Custom Li-Ion Batteries (2);
November December S&H Total
Sound Controller remote control;
8MB pre-recorded Memory 8th EU 2,400
Stick; colored ball. excl. tax
"AIBO Performer Kit" Motion JPY 50,000
Editor software [ERF-511]; 8MB excl. tax
Memory Stick; Memory Stick PC From From USD$450.00
Adapter Card November early Excl. tax, -----
1st December S&H
EU 450
excl. tax

Worldwide Home Page: http://www.aibo.com

[ERS-111] "AIBO" Technical Specifications

CPU 64-bit RISC processor
Main Memory 16MB
Program Memory 8MB Memory StickTM (accessory)
Mouth: 1 degree-of-freedom
Head: 3 degrees-of-freedom
Moving Parts Legs: 3 degrees-of-freedom (x 4)
Tail: 2 degrees-of-freedom
Total: 18
Video Input 180,000 pixel color CCD camera (x 1) Head
Audio Input Stereo microphone (one on each side) Head
Audio Output Speaker (x 1) Head
Heat Detector Heat sensor (x 2) Torso

Internal Range Finder Infra-red range finding sensor (x 1) Head

Sensors Acceleration
Spatial acceleration sensor (x 1) Torso
Detector
Rotation
Angular velocity sensor (x 1) Torso
Detector
Contact
Touch sensor (x 1), switch (x 4) Head, Legs
Detectors
Power Source DC7.2V (Lithium ion battery)
 Power Consumption 12.6W (autonomous mode)
Operating Time Approx. 1.5 hours (using fully charged battery)
Dimensions (l x w x h) Approx. 274 x 156 x 266mm (not including tail)
About 1.4kg (body only)
Weight About 1.6kg (Including Memory Stick media and
battery)

[ERF-511] "AIBO Performer Kit" Main Features

1) Exchange of motions
Motion Editing Functions
2) Editing of motions
(3 Types)
3) Creation of original motions
1) Ensure compliance with angular limitations of limbs
Simulation Functions 2) Confirm non-collision of moving parts
3) Check speed of moving parts
Others Timeline editing function, Memory Stick data check, etc.

[ERF-511] "AIBO Performer Kit" System Requirements

Computing Platform IBM PC/AT compatible or NEC PC98-NX Series
CPU PentiumR200Mhz equivalent or above
OS WindowsR95 or WindowsR98
Memory 32MB or greater
PC Card Slot Type II PC card
Display Mode 800 X 600 resolution or greater
Display Color Capability 16-bit High color or greater
CD-ROM drive (for Installation)
Other
Available in Japanese, English, French, and German

"AIBO," the "AIBO" logo, "Memory Stick" and "OPEN-R" are trademarks of Sony Corporation.
PentiumR is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
WindowsR is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Other companies' product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, communications and information technology products
for the consumer and professional markets. Its music, pictures and computer entertainment operations make Sony
one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of
over $56 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999. Sony's Home Page URL: http://www.sony.co.jp/