It's apparently also capable of learning the layout of your house over time, Roomba-style, to avoid obstacles and take the most direct route between locations. Inside there's a quad-core CPU, there's built-in LTE and WiFi, a number of sensors, motors and gyroscopes, speaker and four microphones. The battery is rated to last two hours, and takes three hours to charge fully so extended play sessions could be tricky.

Pre-orders for the new robot begin tonight via Sony's online store in Japan for 179,000 yen (about $1,739 US), with shipments scheduled to begin on January 11th. Good luck getting one for use anywhere else -- Sony says that right now, it's only scheduled for launch in Japan.

Of course, because this is 2017, not only is the new Aibo powered by AI (that learns and develops a unique personality over time) but it's also connected to the cloud. An Aibo Basic Plan subscription not only backs up your robot's unique identity but also turns on the connection for owners to access their remote via WiFi or a mobile connection. It costs about $27 per month, while a 3-year subscription can be purchased upfront for 90,000 yen ($790).

You'll need the subscription for your pet's AI tendencies to develop and to use its My Aibo app (on iOS, Android and the web) that can manage settings, access photos and play with a virtual version of the dog. Eventually, you'll be able to buy new tricks from the Aibo Store, but it can also learn them from other Aibo and gain new experiences as the seasons change or special events happen.

The new Aibo is as much a service as it is an entertainment device, and it won't be the last one from Sony. The company announced separately that it's "steadily advancing multiple other initiatives in the AI and Robotics field."