I was that close....that close...to mortgaging my life for a Sony robotic dog. But now it is over. The dream is over as the BBC discusses:

Sony's decision to ditch its Aibo robotic dog, along with its entire robot development team, is a reminder that we are still a long way from the age of automated domestic servants. Architects of the Robot Age have been busy rethinking the future.

No word whether Hitachi is calling off the robot army as well. I am not taking the garden rake away from the front door as you never know when waves of these snow white machines of death will be attempting the take-over. Remember, slashing at the exposed joints with the tines is the only sure way to stop them.