An Aibo is not a gadget to its owner, it is a pet, and the people who bring one in usually want it back and not replaced. The ERS-1000 and the older ERS-7 are complicated machines full of small motors and sensors, and the faults we are asked about are the ones that come with moving joints and daily charging.
Blue Apple looks at Sony Aibo robot dogs at Rijnstraat 76-H in Amsterdam. The Sony Aibo repair page shows what a typical repair costs per model; the final price is confirmed in writing after the diagnosis.
What usually goes wrong with Sony Aibo robot dogs
- Leg or joint that fails. Aibo moves on actuators in each joint. A joint that is noisy, weak or stuck points at a worn motor or its gearing.
- Battery that will not hold. The battery pack ages, and a dog that sleeps on its charger for years loses capacity.
- Charging station problems. Dirty contacts, or a station that no longer supplies power.
- Touch sensors that stop responding. Aibo reacts to being stroked. If the head or back no longer registers touch, a sensor or its cable may be at fault.
- Camera, eyes or sensors that go dark. The nose camera or the displays used for the eyes can fail from a knock or moisture.
The Sony Aibo models we repair
Every model below has its own page, with an estimate of what a typical repair costs.
Sony Aibo ERS-1000, Sony Aibo ERS-7.
Repair or replace?
A repair is usually worthwhile for an Aibo: it is a high-value machine, and for most owners it cannot be replaced by a new one. The ERS-7 is out of production, so we check part availability first and tell you honestly after the diagnosis what is realistic.
Looking after your Aibo
- Let it charge properly. A battery that never reaches full, or is left flat, ages quickly.
- Keep the joints free. Do not force a leg or a paw by hand.
- Clean the charging contacts. A dry cloth keeps the station reliable.
How a repair works at Blue Apple
The prices for these devices are estimates until we have seen them. Send a request with the model and what is wrong, and we tell you what a repair is likely to cost and how to get the device to us. The final price is confirmed in writing after the diagnosis, before any work starts. You can use the custom repair form, or call 020 239 11 93.
Questions about Sony Aibo repair
Can the ERS-7 still be repaired?
Often, yes, but parts are scarce. We check what is available before we agree a repair.
Do you repair the software too?
We repair the hardware. Questions about the app or the cloud service are for the manufacturer.
In short
Joints, batteries, charging stations, touch sensors and cameras can each be repaired on an Aibo, and we tell you what is realistic before we start. See the Sony Aibo repair page for the models and repairs, or send us a request. You will find us at Rijnstraat 76-H in Amsterdam, and you can call 020 239 11 93 with a question first.
