Sony Aibo ERS-110 (1999)

Sony's $1500 robotic pet, the ERS-110, was cuter than your average mutt and a whole lot smarter. Advanced artificial intelligence allowed it to learn from its environment, as well as sit, stand, roll over, and act puppyish. Later "breeds" recognized your voice commands and featured a built-in Webcam, so you could hire Aibo to babysit the kids. Photo courtesy of Sony Electronics.