Maybe Sony bowed out of the robot business because they knew they they were up against a formidable competitior.
Ugobe describes themselves:
"We develop and market revolutionary robotic technology that transforms inanimate objects into lifelike creatures exhibiting stunning, organic movement and behaviors. Like Pixar, we blur technology into reality."
"UGOBE is developing a line of revolutionary robotic creatures and companions that exhibit stunning lifelike personalities, sound and responses that will inspire and entertain the child in all of us. "
I do not know who has seen an actual product from this group yet. (But then, I don't hang in the Silicon Valley venture capital circles.)
However, they are scheduled to show their amazing inventions at the that-might-just-work festival, DEMO 06, next week in Phoenix.